As a parent, it’s difficult to have all of your children follow the narrow path described in Matthew 7:13-14 throughout life. On the surface, there isn’t anything attractive, cool or hip in the eyes of the world to stay an extended period of time. While former generations of adults might have coerced, demanded and forced their kids to go to church and youth group, the overall results have been mixed. Good parenting doesn’t always lead to mature teens. Nor does abandonment by one or both parents always produce disobedient souls. Various factors, influences and variables eventually shape young people into the people they become. Regardless of this outcome, it’s never too late to return to Jesus.
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents,” Luke 15:10.
In a series of stories about getting lost, Jesus uses sheep, a sentimental coin and a rebellious son to illustrate his point. These parables have made Luke 15 one of the most read chapters in the Bible. Although the parable of the lost son gets most of the attention, the end of the lost coin reveals one of God’s most important qualities. Unlike a human father who may turn his back on disobedient children, God the Father is standing on the front porch, waiting for you to come home. Whenever someone decides to return home, there is a celebration in heaven for every repentant sinner. Perhaps, guardians angels play a role in this human U-turn, away from the world and back toward God.
He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything, Luke 15:16.
Regardless of how stubborn a person may be, everyone has a breaking point. The human spirit can only take you so far until souls crack. A first century doctor refers to this point as coming to your senses. For the Jewish prodigal mentioned in the passage above, he was broke and homeless. However, this is only half of the story. This young man spent his inheritance, squandered it on wild living and had become a lowly servant at a pig farm. According to Jewish law, pigs are unclean, unfit to eat. Yet, this son became so desperate for food, he longed to eat the slop fed to these animals. This humbling circumstance opened the door for repentance and a return home. May this blog inspire anyone heading off in the wrong direction to return back to Jesus, 1 John 1:7.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 