Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:33:58 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Jan. 25); BP: Lk. 15:11-24; RBTTY: Mt. 16; Ex. 12-13
January 25 “The Story of the Ages”
“. . .But 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. . .And 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.” Luke 15:20b, 22-24
Its storyline is the same, regardless of generation, location or situation.
Of all the stories in the Bible, none (except that of Jesus’ life, death, burial and resurrection) is greater in substance and impact than this “Parable of the Prodigal Son and Rejoicing Father.” It has everything for “greatness:” Intrigue. . .rebellion. . .crises. . . heartache. . .repentance. . .and a joyous ending.
Thankfully, there are no names mentioned for the main characters, for it, truly, is “Everyman’s Story.” The “certain man” (v.11) could be any father anywhere—for what father, regardless of race, creed or color, has not experienced heartache over his children’s disobedience and willful rebellion?
Likewise, the “two sons” represent us all—for who of us has not knowingly rejected the Father’s love and strayed into sin, either by commission or omission? And, who of us, after having “gathered all and journeyed into a far country” (v.13) suddenly discovered the barrenness of body and soul that comes after “sin for a season,” leaving us “high and dry”—or, is that “down and out” (vv.13-16)?
Yes, this is, truly, “The Story of the Ages.” And, we’d do well to hear and heed its message—for it is the Father’s description of us all and how He yearns to say of us all: “For this My child was dead and is alive again. He/she was lost and is found!”
Oh, dear Pilgrim, all of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ Life, Message and Ministry can be summed up in today’s Manna. When we remember “God’s Four Most Important Vocabulary Words” (“lost, seeking, found, rejoicing”), we’ll realize that’s exactly what our Savior was all about (Jn. 3:16; Lk. 19:10).
Like stupid sheep, we wander from the Fold and like a loving “Good Shepherd” (Jn. 10:11-18), He looks for us. . .calling our name in the night. . .fearing not the distance or the difficulty of the search. . .longing to pull us to safety and carry us Home. . .so He and the angels can rejoice (vv.4-7).
And, like the widow who lost her last coin, His Spirit “diligently searches the recesses of our hearts and minds” (Rom. 8:27), convicting us of our “lostness” and “need” (Jn. 16:8-11) in hopes that we, like the prodigal son, will “come to ourselves, arise and return to the Father” (Lk. 15:17-20a). May today be the time we share this “Story of the Ages” with someone who needs the Lord, so they, too, can hear the Father say, “Rejoice with Me—for this My child was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found!” Glory!!
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