FWD: Morning Manna (Jan. 27); BP: Lk. 15:11-24; RBTTY: Mt. 18:1-20; Ex.

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:12:11 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Jan. 27); BP: Lk. 15:11-24; RBTTY: Mt. 18:1-20; Ex.
 

January 27                                                                                                      “The Moment of Decision”

 

“And when he came to himself, he said ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare and I perish with hunger!  I will arise and go to my father and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you—and am no more worthy to be called you son; make me as one of your hired servants’.”

                                                                                                                                             Luke 15:17-19

     Sometimes it takes a long time to reach this point, but what we decide there will have eternal consequences.

     Decisions, decisions, decisions.

     We make them every day:  What to wear. . .what to eat. . .where to go. . .what to buy   . . .where to work . . .where to go to school. . .whom to marry, etc.  But, none of these can compare to the one the Lord God places before each person before he/she dies, which is:

 

     “What will you do with Jesus?”

     Although today’s Manna isn’t specifically dealing with that question, in reality it is, since His words were in response to the scribes and Pharisees’ inward criticism of Him (v.2).  He wanted to remind them through parables about the Heavenly Father’s “seeking love” and how we must decide whether or not and how we’ll respond to it.

 

     The prodigal son’s sin was that of premeditated rebellion (v.12).  And, his traveling to “a far country” (v.13) lets us know he already knew where he was going before he left home—for his heart was already there before his feet were.

 

     How the father’s heart ached that day when his younger son set sail for parts unknown.  With a wry smile and a wave of the hand he bid adieu to his dad and off he went. . .not noticing or caring about the tear that streamed down his father’s face. . . and unconcerned that he was breaking his heart.

 

     Such is always the case with a callused conscience and hardened heart.

     Yet, the boy did not travel alone—for unbeknownst to him, his father’s love pursued him like the Hound of Heaven.  Even while he was boozing it up with his newfound drinking buddies and consorting with heavily-perfumed “women of the night” (v.13c), his father’s love whispered in his ear, “Come home, my son.  Come home.”

 

     But, still he rebelled. . .and still he resisted. . .UNTIL “he’d spent all, a mighty famine arose and he began to be in want” (v.14).  His billfold was bare.  His ATM card didn’t work anymore.  He was BANKRUPT—in body and soul.

 

     But, still he rebelled. . .and still he resisted. . .going to work for an unclean Gentile and slopping his equally unclean and stinking pigs. . .associating with folks and doing things he’d once said “Why I’d never!” 

 

     How wonderful to read of his moment of conviction and contrition “when he came to himself.”  Although racked by guilt, shame and regret, he still was willing to go home. . . face the music. . .and live the rest of his days as a slave. . .for that was better that his current situation.  His crisis spawned his decision and thankfully he chose Home.