The Prodigal

i was just looking at a painting
the "Prodigal" by Rembrandt
if you have never stared at it,
never studied it,.
the father is the focal point,
his forgiving touch,
his loving gaze,
there is not one ounce of judgment,
the filthy son on his knees is truly sorry,
truly confessing his sin,
deeply longing for redemption,
to be back with the family he betrayed,
complete abandon..
the older son watches in judgment,
standing on a pedestal higher than the rest.
condescending..
pride and bitterness just beneath his facade of welcome,
he forgets in an instant of jealousy his father's love for him,
he forgets his place of grace and mercy,
filled with envy that has no place..
this is the image of all our lives..
sometimes we are the young son,
sometimes the elder son,
but all called to be the like the father..

wkm
Nashville