Prodigal God — Arresting Affection

Cram it, shove it, drag it — rage grows larger. Gut-deep, white-knuckled — swallowed by anger. Prodigal parable — I stared into that rage. Older brother embodies it — every age. I'm the Apostle Paul — before Damascus Road. I am the older brother — a toad on that road. Parable left undone — for a Pharisee. But I lived its ending — no one sees. Sitting at the table — same ol' routine, Father, brother, me — in between. Oughta be breaking bread — instead bro said — "Father, your estate. Now!" Father, you sit stone-bound — don't make a sound. You give it all — never stand your ground. You split our lives — inheritance unwound. You dig your grave — six feet underground. You should warn him — bloodlines done. Quote Deuteronomy — twenty-one. You bless him into the setting sun. I slave for you — working, working! I am — the faithful one. Wine guzzles his money — concubines his time. Now bro's at the gate — rehearsing his lines. Bro buried you for his — now digs you up for mine. You should warn him — but you saw past time. Moses commanded... Drag your prodigals — to the gate. Purge your rebellious — seal their fate. Stone your sons — cleanse your land. Hear and fear — it's God's command. There stands snake — lips moving, practicing his lies. You sprint from the table — to the gate, no disguise. Your arms wrap snake, now he's free. Your favorite robe draping that snake — not me! Father, you run to him — now walk to me! Then you say to me — "Precious son — you're always with me! All that's mine is yours — can you see? He was dead, now he's alive — come see!" No! No! It's you, Father — this is on you! You trample Moses — what'd you do! Embrace chaos — you break the Law! You're that prodigal — you're the flaw! Drag you — to the gate. Purge your rebellious — seal your fate. Nail you — cleanse our land. Hear and fear — it's God's command. I wanted them to drag you — past the gate. They nailed you to the cross — sealed your fate. Now believers say, "You're back" — I say, "Hunt you down! I'll shove 'em, drag 'em — believers bound." I am a wild boar, in a Pharisee's robe, breaking down doors, drag them from home, casting my vote, stones reload, now marching to Damascus, down the road. Then your arresting affection — blinds my eyes. Father, your voice in the fire — no more disguise. "Paul, Paul, why do you hunt me down?" I fall face down — this boar hit the ground. I hunt you down — you run to me! I hear and know — I'm the prodigal! I'm that flaw! Drag me — to the gate. Purge your rebellious — seal my fate. Nail your son — cleanse our land. Hear and fear — it's God's command. Footsteps over me — this is my end. Hand on my eyes — scales descend. Brother Ananias carries me home. He pulls my chair, sets my plate. Father, I executed your law, executed you. I saw only red — blind by black. You open my fist into a hand I never knew. I'll pull your chair, I'll set your plate — Father, come back. Father... Father... You sprint to me — run past the gate. You purge my hate — seal my fate. You smile on me — heal my soul. I hear and know — I trust your hand. Prodigal God. Prodigal God. You love us all.