The Way Home

Of all the parables Jesus told there is probably none more widely known than the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Even those of you who have been away from church for a long time can probably relate its basic story line.

A man has two sons. One of them requests his share of the inheritance so he can go and seek his fortune in the world. He gets it and promptly leaves.

He spends much of his early time on the road being the life or the party. He has friends and is well know. However, one day the money runs out and so do his friends. Eventually he finds his way back home after much turmoil and hardship. His father welcomes him back with open arms and still claims him as his own. Read it in Luke 15:11ff.

However, this wonderful story is preceded by two other stories, each of them well known in their own right, but seldom read with the story of the Prodigal Son. Most pastors preach them separately. However, it seems Jesus told them together in a single sitting.

The two preceding stories talk about a lost sheep and a lost coin. In each case a diligent search is made. The shepherd abandons the other sheep in the field and goes off to search and find the lost one. The woman tears apart her house until she finds the one coin. When she finds it she is so excited she calls the whole neighborhood together to tell them about it.

All three of these parables talk about the wondrous rejoicing over being found, when we recognize that God has been searching for us for so long and finally respond to His voice and come to him, there is indeed great rejoicing. There is more to this section than just rejoicing. Have you seen it? Some of you picked up just in my retelling here.

We search for lost animals. We are anxious beyond words when we lose our wallet. But, we never really go look for our brothers and sisters who may be stumbling blindly through life and feel so alone. Who went to look for the Lost Son? No one!

Jesus command was not for us to hide in our churches and shut out the rest of the world. He did not tell us to start programs or organizations to do the work he called us to do. No, Jesus’ last words to His disciples were to “Go!” He wants us to find that stumbling brother or sister and journey with them back home! 

Pastor Craig