Lost Sheep
January 2, 2000
Dear Friends:
“But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
You will recognize this quotation as coming from the parable we refer to as the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. In the story, the son squanders his inheritance on immoral and lavish living. He is allowed to suffer the consequences of his actions by God and realize the error of his ways. Finally, he makes a decision to return home.
The most interesting part of the story comes when the son returns home. We are told “when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” The father, not knowing in what state this young man is returning home, runs to his son. He doesn’t make the son grovel. He doesn’t sit him down and question him endlessly on what he did with his money. He doesn’t use his son’s dire need as leverage for an “I told you so.”
I wonder how many people would return to the way of salvation if they knew that a fatted calf awaited their return? I wonder how many people would willingly take on the contrite and truly repentant spirit of the son if it was not forced upon them when they came back?
The New Testament is full of parables and stories concerning God’s desires for his wayward sheep to return. Have we, as believers, adopted these principles in our ecclesias? Which role do we take – that of the joyful father or that of the begrudging elder brother?
As I look forward to the new year, I would love to see a renewal of commitment to the Biblical principles in the parable of the prodigal son. I would love to see those who have flirted with “riotous living” to see the error in their ways and return with humility before God and their brethren. I would love to see brethren “run” to these lost sheep with a genuine humility and prepared the fatted calf.
If we follow these principles taught by Jesus, what would happen? I would love to find out!
Have a great week!
Comments»
No comments yet.