What Makes a Fresh Start Possible?

 There are very few areas in life where tolerance for mistakes is absent. The older son in the parable of the Prodigal Son had been outstanding in pleasing his father by managing the family business. His younger brother had pitched to the curb all opportunities to do something commendable with his life.

The younger son could never be given another inheritance simply because the older brother was now entitled to everything the father had. Remember his father’s words of assurance to this older son. “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” This, however, was not enough. Something was missing.

The older son's anger was generated by his father’s love for his rebellious brother. His father had received his brother back into the family and made him acceptable again. This parable demonstrates God’s love for each of us who have made bad mistakes and despicable choices but are now determined to make a clean, fresh, new beginning, empowered by God’s guidance and love.   

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Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he give us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope, and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away.

~1 Peter 1:3-4 Good News Bible

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How Does Intense Anger Interfere with Hearing?

Can you imagine being so angry that it’s impossible to listen to reason or do what is appropriate? Jonah, the Old Testament prophet, became angry with God for not destroying the wicked city of Nineveh. He mistakenly believed God loved Nineveh and hated him, which prevented him from receiving God’s blessing and reward.

When the people of Nineveh repented, they were given a new perspective on the meaning of life. That’s what the Prodigal Son experienced in a filthy pigpen. He realized that his mistakes and bad choices were responsible for his suffering and pain but that his father would be merciful and forgiving.

Jonah mistakenly believed he had lost God’s favor when God saved the people of Nineveh. The older brother of the Prodigal Son felt he had lost his father’s favor when his father gave a party for his rebellious brother. His anger prevented him from knowing the meaning of forgiveness. What a foolish mistake!                       

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I correct and punish everyone I love. So make up your minds to turn away from your sins. …If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

~Revelation 3:19,23 Contemporary English Version

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When Is Anger Acceptable?

It’s often easier to admit making mistakes than it is to acknowledge making bad choices. It’s reasonable to assume that those making an honest mistake do not feel as guilty or defensive as someone who makes a bad choice. The Prodigal Son’s older brother mistakenly believed his younger brother would never return home.

He couldn’t imagine his father throwing a lavish party for someone so irresponsible. This is not dissimilar to Jonah’s reaction when God refused to destroy the people of Nineveh after they repented and turned to him for mercy. Jonah wanted Nineveh destroyed because they were his enemy, but God, in mercy and kindness, forgave them.

Jonah’s anger paralleled the anger of the Prodigal Son’s older brother. God asked Jonah, “Do you have the right to be angry because I show kindness and mercy?” Had he forgotten God had saved him from certain death? By remembering what God has done for you, surely thanksgiving and praise will flow for his kindness and mercy. 

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Now you must repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that your souls may know the times of refreshment which come from the presence of the Lord.

~Acts 3:19 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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