By: REV. DR. ISAIAH ROBINSON, JR.
Scriptural text: LUKE 15 “11-24; ACTS 2: 38-39, KJV
KEY VERSE: “This son of mine was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15: 24, NIV)
INTRODUCTION: The Gospels are the only biblical books to feature the life, ministry, and teaching of Jesus Christ. Together, they provide a historical narrative of His life, from birth to death, and from resurrection to glorious ascension. The gospel of Matthew was written primarily to the Jewish community. Mark wrote his gospel for a Gentile audience. In comparison, Luke wrote his specifically to one individual named Theophilus. However, all three gospels in including John’s gospel, were written to inform the world of the good news that a savior had arrived to offer salvation to everyone. The geography of Luke and Acts spans several countries. The Gospel account generally focuses on Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem. But the book of Acts details the story of the birth and expansion of the church, “to the end of the earth.” Luke himself focuses on the counties and cities visited by Jesus. Acts 2 relates an account od Peter’s speaking at the festival of Pentecost after the Holy Spirit was poured out. Repentance is an inward change that produces out changes. Interpersonal relationships are the connections people build with one another, like families, friends, romantic partners, and even coworkers. These relationships play a big role in personal growth and overall well-being. When they’re healthy, they help meet emotional needs and give a sense of belonging. But relationships aren’t always easy. They can break down, especially when people start focusing only on themselves and what they want. Holding grudges, not communicating well, jealousy, betrayal, or even cultural and political differences can cause tension in relationships. Sadly, these same issues can show up in church too, making it hard for believers to stay united.
Grace and Reconciliation: May interpersonal conflicts could be mended through a willingness to apologize, make amends, and extend forgiveness. However, from a spiritual perspective, the most critical relationship a believer must safeguard is the connection with God. While this relationship can never be lost for those in Christ, it can suffer damage through unconfessed sin, neglecting spiritual disciplines, pride, and self-reliance. Yet, in His boundless grace, God, like the father in Jesus’ parable of the lost son, is always ready to welcome. His children back. Whenever we rrepent and turn to Christ, He restores and reconciles us, reaffirming His unwavering love for us.
A Son’s Rebellion (Luke 15: 11-2a).
In the preceding verses, Jesus is criticized by the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes for hanging out with sinners and tax collectors. This story depicts a son lost by intentional choice. The younger of a man’s two sons deliberately rebels against his father and strays away after selfishly demanding his share of his father’s estate before his father’s death, possibly implying that he wished his father were dead. Jesus sat down and ate dinner with sinners and publicans. Intent on elevating the worth of all who are made in the image of God, He provided everyday common illustrations that could be clearly understood by even the uneducated. His theme was simple: what do you do for something of great value is lost? First, the sheep, then the coin, and lastly, the son were all lost. He is the only one who was lost on purpose. He deliberately decided to leave the care and provision of his father’s care and love. The sheep and the coin were both lost by accident, not choice. The father in this parable is the heavenly Father, the Creator of all life. Any human being who willfully decides he doesn’t need God anymore is effectively lost, spiritually and practically. In the parable, the younger son approached his father, requested his allotment sooner than customary, and left on an unplanned, ill-fated journey. The son leaves home, squandering his inheritance on reckless and extravagant living. When a severe storm strikes, he finds himself penniless, desperate, and reduced to lowly labor to survive.
The Righteousness (Luke 15: 13 14). After pocketing his loot. The younger, anxious, and ambitious explorer wasted little time putting distance between a structured and stable life and the loose and luxurious life awaiting him. The son’s now was not restricted, restrained; he quickly became the life of the party and the talk of the country he had embraced. The son’s first lesson from an ungodly world is that good times only last as long as the money. The crowd that he befriended helped him waste all his valuable possessions. This parable’s good news is that life can be rehabilitated, no matter how bad it gets.