Week #4: Agents of Grace
Blog Series Intention Recap
This four-week series for March will focus on what it means to be on mission with Jesus and living with the ends in mind. We examine why we should make God famous, how to make God’s fame increase, and what benefits derive from seeing God’s fame increase. Join us as we look at Missio Dei.
This post is part of the series “Missio Dei.” Click here to check out the other posts.
Let’s jump into Week #4:
Through the story of the prodigal son, we learn how God extends grace but more importantly how he expects us to be agents of grace and not agents of judgment.
Why It Matters
God’s mission has always been to connect with humans and repair the relationship caused by humanity’s sin.
God wants to partner with humans who have already chosen to receive God’s grace.
Agents of Grace get the opportunity to welcome others into the kingdom with open arms.
When we serve as Agents of Grace, we can combat judgment by remembering what God did for us.
Going Deeper
We often hear the term "grace" in church, but what does it truly mean to be an agent of grace? Let's explore this through one of the most famous parables in the Bible: the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24). This parable teaches us how to extend grace to others, just as God extends His grace to us.
In Luke 15:11-24, Jesus tells the story of a man with two sons. The younger son demands his share of the inheritance and leaves home to live recklessly. Eventually, he squanders all his money and finds himself in desperate need. Realizing his mistake, he returns to his father and asks for forgiveness, hoping to return as a servant.
However, as he approaches home, his father sees him from a distance and runs to embrace him. Despite the son's messy condition and unconfessed sins, the father welcomes him back with open arms, celebrating his return.
The central figure in this portion of the story is not the prodigal son but the gracious father. The father's reaction to his son's return illustrates God's unconditional love and forgiveness. He doesn't wait for a full apology; instead, he runs to his son, embraces him, and celebrates his return.
This parable shows how we should welcome others into our lives and church communities. We should extend grace and love even to those amid their messes. Like the father in the story, our grace should not be contingent on someone's "cleanliness" or worthiness.
The Real Audience
However, the story turns on a dime. Jesus had a different audience in mind when he told this story. The Pharisees play the role of the older brother. At the story's end, the older brother discovers what his father has done. He learns about the celebration for his younger brother's return and becomes angry. He feels overlooked and unappreciated, seeing his father's actions as unfair. The older brother had always been dutiful, staying home and working hard, yet he had never received such a celebration.
This reaction is crucial to understanding the parable's full message. The older brother's anger and sense of injustice mirror the attitudes of the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus's time. They prided themselves on their strict adherence to the law and their outward righteousness. They looked down on those they considered sinners, believing they deserved God's favor more than anyone else.
Jesus used this part of the story to challenge the Pharisees directly. By portraying the older brother's resentment, Jesus exposed the self-righteousness and lack of compassion that can arise from focusing too much on one's own perceived goodness. The father's response to the older brother is telling. He reassures him of his love and reminds him that everything he has belongs to him. However, he also emphasizes the joy and necessity of celebrating the return of the lost brother.
This part of the parable underscores a critical aspect of grace. Grace is not earned by works or adherence to rules; it is a gift freely given by God. The father's willingness to forgive and celebrate the younger son's return demonstrates God's boundless love and mercy. It serves as a powerful reminder that no one is beyond redemption and that all are welcome in God's kingdom if they choose to return.
The reaction of the older brother also highlights a common human tendency to measure worthiness and deservingness, often leading to jealousy and resentment. This tendency can prevent us from fully embracing the role of an agent of grace. If we are to embody the Father's example, we must move past these feelings and recognize that grace is not a finite resource to be rationed. Instead, it is abundant and freely available to all.
Jesus teaches us the importance of humility, compassion, and a generous spirit by including this dynamic between the older brother and the father. As agents of grace, we are called to celebrate the return of the lost, no matter how unworthy they might seem by worldly standards. This is a crucial lesson for us today. In a world where judgment and division are common, embracing the father's attitude of unconditional love and celebration for each returning prodigal can transform lives and communities.
Three Parables of Lostness
The story of the Prodigal Son follows two other parables: the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. These three parables represent different ways people can be lost: through foolishness, ignorance, or willful estrangement from God.
The Lost Sheep: Represents those who are too foolish to stay with the flock.
The Lost Coin: Symbolizes those who are unaware of their lost condition.
The Prodigal Son: Depicts those who knowingly and willingly separate themselves from God.
In each case, God's grace is big enough to cover all forms of lostness. As agents of grace, we must extend this same grace to others, regardless of how they became lost.
Practical Applications
An agent can be someone who represents another, acting on their behalf, or a force that causes something to happen. As agents of grace, we play both roles. We represent Christ to the world, sharing His message of love and forgiveness. We are also the instruments through which God works to draw others to Himself.
Colossians 3:12-17: These verses give us clear instructions on how to behave as followers of Christ. We are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These qualities help us to be effective agents of grace.
Embracing the Mess: Being an agent of grace means being willing to get involved in the messy lives of others. Just as the father embraced his dirty, ragged son, we must be willing to extend grace to people regardless of their circumstances.
Acts of Kindness: Simple acts of kindness can be powerful ways to show grace. Whether it's helping a struggling classmate, reaching out to a difficult coworker, or being friendly to an unpleasant neighbor, these small actions reflect God's love.
Overcoming Fear and Worry
Fear, worry, and the potential danger of getting involved in someone else's mess can hold us back from being agents of grace. However, Jesus modeled that taking these risks is worth it. While we must use wisdom and avoid overly dangerous or tempting situations, we should not let fear prevent us from extending grace.
An Example to Follow
Let’s review the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor and theologian who exemplified being an agent of grace. Bonhoeffer's life and work during the turbulent years of World War II offer a profound example of what it means to live out one's faith courageously and compassionately. Despite the immense dangers and personal risks, he stood resolutely against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, which he saw as a grave moral and spiritual threat to humanity and the church.
Bonhoeffer's opposition to Hitler was not just a political stance; it was deeply rooted in his theological convictions. He believed that following Christ required active resistance against evil, even when it came at great personal cost. He was involved in the Confessing Church, a movement that opposed the Nazi's attempt to control the German churches. Bonhoeffer was also part of a conspiracy to overthrow Hitler, believing that such drastic measures were necessary to halt the atrocities being committed.
His commitment to justice and grace was evident in his writings and actions. In his book "The Cost of Discipleship," Bonhoeffer wrote about the need for Christians to reject "cheap grace" — grace that demands nothing of us — and embrace "costly grace," which requires real sacrifice and action. This principle guided his life and led him to take bold steps that ultimately resulted in his arrest.
Bonhoeffer's imprisonment did not silence him. While incarcerated, he continued to write and minister to his fellow prisoners. His letters and writings from prison reveal a man whose faith was unwavering, even in the face of great suffering and uncertainty. He exemplified the essence of grace by showing compassion and offering spiritual support to others, despite his own dire circumstances.
On April 9, 1945, just weeks before the end of the war, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by the Nazis. His martyrdom underscored the ultimate sacrifice he made in standing up for his beliefs. His courage and unwavering commitment to grace and justice serve as an enduring inspiration for us all. Bonhoeffer's life challenges us to consider what it means to be an agent of grace in our own contexts. It reminds us that living out our faith authentically may require us to take stands that are uncomfortable or even dangerous, but it is through such acts of courage and conviction that we truly embody the grace of God.
In reflecting on Bonhoeffer's legacy, we are called to examine our own lives. Are we willing to stand against injustice and show grace to those in need, even when it comes at a personal cost? Bonhoeffer's example encourages us to be bold and compassionate agents of grace, to act with integrity and love, and to trust that God's grace is sufficient to sustain us in all circumstances.
God calls us to be His representatives, to be agents of grace in the world. Through the story of the Prodigal Son and examples like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, we learn how to welcome others with open arms, just as the gracious father did. Let us strive to extend God's love and grace to everyone, regardless of their situation. In doing so, we fulfill our calling and reflect the heart of our Heavenly Father.
By embracing our role as agents of grace, we can make a profound impact on the lives of those around us, drawing them closer to God and His boundless love.
