Tag: prodigal son
Jesus welcomes ‘sinners’!
Scripture reading for October 24: Luke 13-15
“Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear Him (Jesus). But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke15:1-2
Are you a person who welcomes sinners? Are you comfortable around those that the culture would consider outcasts or unacceptable? Would those who are “sinners” see you as a person that they would feel comfortable hanging out with? These questions that get us to thinking about our scripture reading.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to seek and save the “lost” of this world. Sin has come to every man because of Adam (not Eve!). (Romans 5:12-14) As Jesus responded the religious leaders who complained about His hanging around sinners, He told them three parables to help them understand the heart of God for those who were lost. The first parable was about a man who had a hundred sheep and found out that one of them was missing. He left the main flock to go and search for the lost sheep. When he found that lost sheep, he called friends and neighbors together and celebrated! The moral of this story was that there was joy in heaven over one lost person being restored! (Luke 15:7)
Another parable concerned a woman who had lost one of ten silver coins. She searched diligently in her house until finding it and then invited friends to rejoice with her for her restored savings! The same bottom line is emphasized. There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents! (Luke 15:10)
The final parable concerned a man who had two sons. One wanted his inheritance right now. His father gave him the money and he left to squander it on loose living. He ended up eating with pigs to satisfy his hunger! This lost son decided to go back to his father and beg for mercy. The father was watching for his lost son, saw him coming, and ran to meet him. After a brief apology, the father restored this son and threw a party of celebration! This parable represented God’s heart for His lost children.
We truly have a Friend in Jesus Christ. He loves lost people. Our Father in heaven sent Him to help all who will to return home to Father’s House. If you are not “home”, let Him welcome you today! His arms are open wide! Admit you are a “sinner” and His mercy will welcome you.
Possess your inheritance!
Scripture reading for March 22nd: Joshua 18-21, Luke 15
Key Scriptures: Luke 15:11-14 “And He said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of my property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.”
Jesus told the story of a man with two sons. One son faithfully stayed with his father and worked. The younger demanded his inheritance and went and squandered it in reckless living. The younger son lost everything but decided to come humbly back to his father and was welcomed home. The older son was resentful and angry. The father wanted both his sons to possess their inheritance!
Joshua 18:3 “So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?”
Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize the great value of the inheritance You have given me and possess it by faith and obedience! Amen.