A preacher in China once asked a Chinese artist to read the story of the Prodigal Son in the fifteenth chapter of Luke, and then make a picture for him of the son’s return home. This the artist agreed to do, so taking the story with him, he went home to make the picture.
Some days passed and the artist returned. When the preacher unrolled the canvas, what do you think he saw? Why, there was the poor prodigal son kneeling at the father’s feet begging for mercy, and what do you think the father was doing? Beating him with a big stick!
“Why that is not what the story says,” said the preacher.
“I know it isn’t,” said the artist, “but that is what he deserved.”
Was the artist right? Yes, he was. The son deserved naught but the father’s angry blows. But that is not what he got. Instead the father ran to meet him, covered him with kisses, told the servants to put a ring on his hand, shoes on his feet and clothe him with the best robe. Yes, and a grand feast was made and there was rejoicing-and gladness, because this naughty young man had come home! By what name do we call loving, ueserved favor like this? Grace is what the Word of God calls it. We read in Ephesiaris chapter two, verse eight, “By grace are ye saved.”
We all deserve God’s anger and judent, but because Jesus died for us on the cross, God can now show grace to all who come to Him by faith.
ML 04/18/1943