Turning our expectations upside down

The Greeks suspected that the gods lived on the earth to bless those who welcomed them and to curse those who rebuffed them.  The Romans were more superstitious:  they built endless temples for fear of offending one of the gods that may have been overlooked.  The Chinese have thousands of Buddhas, all of whom need to be given due recognition.

In all the history of religions, no one except Jesus has ever portrayed the great and transcendent God as a father running toward His prodigal son with open arms.  No burning candles or incense here to placate an offended godhead; no human sacrifice to plead for favor or food for the next season---a "daddy" who is missing his son and who watches on the roof every day for signs that the son is coming home.  Now, it is not the son who must offer gifts to the offended father in order to be accepted.  It is the father putting a ring on the hand of the sinning son and wrapping a robe around his shoulders.  It is the father sacrificing an animal in celebration of his son's return.  It is the father who is "prodigal"/ wasteful in giving.

Jesus said He came to seek and to save what was lost.  One cannot come to Him without being brought to the Father, Who had been grieving over His lost sons and daughters.  Those who think that candles and incense, or human sacrifice, or animal sacrifice is what God is looking for are sadly mistaken.  He just wants us to come home and live with Him again.