The Beloved Parable
The best known and loved parable is perhaps the one that Luke recorded in chapter fifteen. It is divided into three parts or Acts and each Act tells a different story; yet, emphasizes only one lesson or principle.
The first Act is the story of a lost sheep; the second part of the parable tells the story of a woman losing a valuable coin and the final Act details a story about a loving and gracious father whose son deserted him and went away into a foreign country where he came to be in want. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have
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This is the second time the father’s heart has been made heavy by a son. The very one who pretended to be faithful has disappointed him. Nonetheless, the father still loves his son “and he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
All have sinned; however, the Lord’s invitation remains the same. “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11: 28) And, His offer to the wanderer from the house of God hasn’t changed. “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” And “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 2:1; I John 1: 9) If your heart is no longer right in the sight of God, “repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. (Acts 8: