Luke 15:11-32
Do you recall the story Jesus told about the prodigal
son? It goes something like this, a very
wealthy man had two sons, the younger of the two wanted more excitement and
opportunities than his father was offering, so he said dad give me my half as
if you were already deceased, and though I have no doubt it broke his father’s heart,
he did as the younger son asked. Not
many days had passed till the younger son took his part of the estate and went
on a journey into a far country, and Jesus tells us the youngster squandered
his property in reckless living.
I bet the youngster had a groupie, his face book page full of
adoring fans till the money ran out. Then
something he did not anticipate happened, at about the same time his fame and
the money ran out, the country began a severe famine. You would be correct to say the party was
over, and the youngster found his best buddies were no longer to be found, and
Jesus tells us he was in need of shelter and clothing, so he hired out to one
of the citizens of this foreign country to do something a Jewish boy would not
think about doing. He was to care for and
feed the pigs, can you grasp his desperation?
At one time back in his father’s house he had servants, and it seems he
might have been pampered as the younger of the brothers.
As one who wears the title Christian, what is your take on
the story? Is it not the story of many
who go by the title Christian, but they have told the Father, maybe not out
loud, but in their hearts and minds, the world has more to offer, or I do not
want your authority over me, I want to do it my way, and many have. In the USA the number of people who claim to
attend church and the number that do seem very different, but it looks as if
only around 17% of the population ever darken the doors of any Christian church
building.
Now there is good news, the younger son woke up dirty,
hungry, and very lonely and this thought came into his mind; “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my
father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with
hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I
have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called
your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’
(Luke 15:17-19 ESV) If
you have reached the point of understanding, and your way has put you with the
swine, maybe it is time to do what this foolish young man did, and confess to
your Father that He is a great provider and you will trust Him and be willing
to return on His terms.
If you do so you are in for a shock, for the Father has been
watching each day for your return, and He is not going to treat you as your
actions deserve, but as His son. This is
the rest of the story; “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still
a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced
him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against
heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the
father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him,
and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf
and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is
alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” (Luke
15:20-24 ESV)
Now the older brother is a Pharisees in his actions, much
like some who forget the grace and mercy the Father has shown to them. He is not wanting forgiveness, in fact he has
no love for his brother, and these are the words of the Father to the older
son; “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all
that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your
brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” (Luke
15:31-32 ESV)
A word to the younger brother, come on home, yes, the older
brother is not going to be happy, but that is his problem, leave him to the
Father, for the Father has been waiting for your return.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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