I want to share the story of a dude with you. Let’s call him Ẹlégbọ̀ñ (A.K.A Èèyan prodigal son, Ọmọ Big Daddy, O.B.O the first). Unfortunately, he only played a waka pass (Camaeo appearance) in the story. I’m talking about the story of the Prodigal son in the Bible (Luke 15:11-32). Let’s go over the story, shall we?
Big Daddy had two sons, Ẹlẹ́gbọ̀ñ and Junior. Big Daddy was rich- the kind of wealth that will make you wonder if there’s any point going to school. One day, Junior went to Big Daddy to ask for his portion of his inheritance. Shebi he was supposed to wait for his dad to die before getting his inheritance? No o, Junior couldn’t wait to blow. So Big Daddy (definitely not an African dad) gave Junior his inheritance. Therefore, in blowness, Junior blew and left home for another country. Unfortunately the blowness was short-lived. There was an economic recession and Junior disblew. May you not blow and go back to upcoming status (Amen?). Anyway, long story short, Junior repented and went back to Big Daddy and beyond Junior’s expectation, Big Daddy welcomed him wholeheartedly and excitedly. Big Daddy even threw an Ówàmbẹ̀ for Junior. You would have thought he came back as an IJGB having graduated from Harvard.
Let’s take a pause here. I just want to mention that believers focus more on Junior in this story for obvious reasons. You know, it illustrates how we were once lost and how God forgave us while we were yet sinners. But actually on a closer look, this seems to be a parable about not just a lost, but a backslidden child of God and how God longs for a restored fellowship with the black slidden (Isaiah 57:15-19). Anyway, I digress.
Back to the story and now to the main guy, Ẹlẹ́gbọ̀ñ. Ẹlẹ́gbọ̀ñ was on his way back from the head office of the family business when he heard Gbẹ̀du blasting and cars parked in front of the house. He asked Kasali, the head of security what’s up. Kasali told him Junior was back. You would expect Ẹlẹ́gbọ̀ñ to have been excited about the return of his brother, like Big Daddy. But no, he was livid. What was Big Daddy thinking? The normal reaction to Junior returning home should have been punishment or probationary acceptance with all privileges taken away till he proved himself responsible. Right? Right? Isn’t that the rational way? Isn’t that fair judgement? But wait, what exactly about grace is fair? From interpretation of the parable, we know Big Daddy’s acceptance and reception for Junior was an illustration of God’s grace, overwhelming love and forgiveness. So again I ask- what part of grace is fair? We have a Father and Master who chooses to pay the worker who started working at 8am and the one who came at 3pm, the same wage. Grace! We serve a God who chose the chief Jewish prosecutor of the gospel as the custodian of the gospel to the Gentiles. No wonder Hillsong calls it The Scandal of Grace!
The truth is, if one isn’t mindful, it is easy for a believer to be like Ẹlẹ́gbọ̀ñ when he/she sees someone who is seemingly unworthy being accorded the same grace we were accorded, as though we initially received grace on our merit. We love grace when we are in the position of the worker who came 5 minutes to the close of work. But how do we react when we are in the position of the worker who started working at 8am? Haven’t you noticed that we love grace when it is directed towards us? But what about when we see it extended to other people? Before you answer easily, I’m not just talking about unbelievers being saved (That’s easy, right?) I’m talking about people like Junior- the back slidden. The worship leader who went astray and came back a baby mama, now trying to find her place back in church. What about the preacher who erred during a season of his ministry and now walking more closely with God, is more influential than ever before? Or does that former wife beater deserve the blissful marriage he now has? (Lord, some people finna come for my head).Or a leopard can’t change its spots under grace? I’ll let you think about it.
This leads me to my favorite part of the story. When Ẹlẹ́gbọ̀ñ went to complain to Big Daddy about throwing a party for his brother. Big Daddy said “Son, you are with me always and all I have is yours”. (Luke15:31- Bursss my head). The fact that Big Daddy threw a welcome back party for Junior didn’t make Ẹlẹ́gbọ̀ñ any less special nor did it reduce his inheritance. But do you know why he didn’t realize it? See finish! He was so used to his home that he had forgotten how privileged and blessed he was. Ironically, that was what Junior got to realize and appreciate when he left home.
My brother and sister in Christ, I don’t know how long you have been a believer but may we not see finish the grace of God that we enjoy. May we not forget that at no point can we stand before God in our own righteousness. May we not through envy and self righteousness, lose focus of the riches of the glorious inheritance we have in Christ. Now that we’ve been cleaned up by God, may we not forget that Jesus did not die for the worthy. He doesn’t just REDEEM, He also RESTORES. Don’t, never forget that.
Ówàmbẹ̀- a big Yoruba party with lots of food, drinks, loud music and dancing.
IJGB- I Just Got Back- a Nigerian slang for returnees from overseas.
Gbẹ̀du- loud party music.
Bursss my head– mind blowing.
See finish- disregard due to overfamiliarity.
