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Commentary on "The Prodigal's New Clothes"
Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, May 28, 2011 - Introduction
Overview
“…The story ended, however, unexpectedly. The missionary killed himself, and his mangled corpse was found washed up on the beach. What happened? Apparently, spending all this time with the prostitute, he fell into sin with her and, unable to forgive himself, he killed himself instead.
What those characters needed was what we all, as sinners, need—a personal experience of the grace and assurance that Jesus revealed in the parable of the prodigal son.” [Teacher’s Quarterly, Page 113]
Commentary
Although perhaps better suited for a conversation about Galatians 6 (…so that you too will not be tempted), the W. Somerset Maugham reference really does cast this week’s lesson in the stark reality of sin and its effects. It also talks about forgiveness in a more positive light than any SDA publication I’ve reviewed in a long time. In some ways, this week’s lesson is the least Adventist-sounding of any SDA writing I’ve ever reviewed.
I wanted to say this at the beginning so that readers of this article are not tripped up by the issues I point out later. I praise God for this indication that some in the Adventist church appear to be moving away from some of the positions so long held, positions that have made Jesus of no effect and have resulted in the confusion and depression of so many people who failed, in spite of trying so hard, to measure up to an impossible standard.
There is nothing so perfectly suited to drawing a person to, or back to, God as an understanding of forgiveness. Without full and complete forgiveness a person is left to wander in the never-never-land of doubt and confusion. With it, the person can rejoice that not only is the chasm between he or she and God spanned by/in Jesus, but eternal life is not only possible but guaranteed by/in Jesus. No wonder all heaven rejoices when the lost are found and the dead are raised!
Let me put this in very personal terms. Even if the SDA church completely repudiates the meaningful positions espoused in this week’s lesson at some later date, there will be some of you whose lives will have been changed forever. You never again will doubt what Jesus accomplished on the cross. You will be able to rest in His completed work, content that the spiritual life you’ve been given in Him today is yours forever, and you will eagerly await the final consummation of all things when your mortal body will have put on immortality.
Summary
- An understanding of the forgiveness provided by and available in Jesus is one of the keys to conversion and salvation. The realization of sinfulness and personal responsibility is not enough to draw someone to Christ, because that reality only proves his unworthiness and the infinite gulf that exists between her and God. It is the glorious news of God’s initiative to us in Jesus, whereby He Himself bridged that gulf, that causes us to fling ourselves into His arms.
- This week’s lesson makes these points in several interesting ways, and I praise God for it.
- There still is some Adventist theology contained in the lesson that, if left unchallenged, will confuse the reader instead of driving the point home.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised May 9, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.
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