Lost and Found, Part Two

Luke 15:2, 11-17

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

Is it not interesting that the Pharisees were listening and had something to say about what Jesus said to the tax collectors and sinners. They had something to say because they were self-righteous. Their words were never addressed to Jesus but he knew the thoughts and intents of their heart just the same. As the Creator, it is his business to know such things about his creation. Some may feel violated, but I feel comforted by Jesus intimate knowledge of my life, my stuff, my sins, my fears, and my hopes. Knowing this, Christ is not drawn to your personality, your talent, who you are, nor yet whom you will become, or what you will do for Christ. He spoke this parable to the sinners who listened to him that day and to those who will listen to him now.

Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

This story is of two sons. One of them, while in the pigpen and away from home, is still a son and is received as such upon his return. Had he never been a son, he would never have returned at all having loved the riotous living too much. The self-righteous brother, while having an attitude and being unrecognized for staying, is also still no less a son than the other brother. Their positions are the same as far as matters of sonship and inheritance.

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!

Life in the Father's house whether you are a servant or a son is always one well-provided. The Father spares no expense upon his household because if he freely gave himself up for us all, "how shall he not with him freely give us all things" according to Romans 8:32. Now this does not mean the Father's house is filled with riotous living, but rather every need is met for "my God shall supply all your need" according to Philippians 4:19. No one suffers for what is needed there. The cause of celebration is the repentance of the prodigal. When repentance occurs, restoration follows. Did the father accept him as a servant – absolutely not. He accepted him as a son which was his birthright. The mercies of a perfect Heavenly Father that "are new every morning" in Lamentations 3:23 made the difference.