9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, “REJOICE WITH ME; I HAVE FOUND MY LOST COIN.” 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ Luke 15
This was my wife’s story yesterday, she’d lost a ring of sentimental value, but praise God she found it again. Once she realised she’d lost her ring, everything else stopped and she started to search frantically for it.
Luke 15 repeats the same message three times, the lost or missing sheep, the missing coin and lastly, the missing son. The shepherd had to search outdoors, the woman indoors and the prodigal return a long way from home. (John Wimber used to talk about pre Christians, those who just hadn’t found the Lord yet). The chapter begins with two groups of people, ‘the tax collectors and sinners gathered round to hear Jesus’. ‘The Pharisees and teachers of the Law muttered’, they were not happy with what the Lord was saying. In a sense these two groups were reflected in Jesus Parable of the Prodigal son who came back from such a long way to his father’s house.
20 So he got up and went to his father. (HE FOUND HIS WAY HOME WITH A DECISION TO RETURN IN HUMILITY!)
‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him.
21 ‘The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (HEAVEN REJOICES WHEN GOD’S CHILDREN FIND OUR WAY HOME!)
The younger son returned with nothing, he had no standing as a son before his father. So what happened next? Did his father keep him at arm’s length and remind him of all his faults and failures, NOT AT ALL.
22 ‘But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. (COMPLETE CHANGE OF IDENTITY, NO LONGER ALONE AND IN POVERTY, BUT AN HONOURED SON) 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate. Luke 15
But his older brother couldn’t stand to see him accepted and his return being celebrated. It triggered something unloving and unlovable in him.
29 But he answered his father, “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. Luke 15
The older brother looked to ‘Past Performance’, he considered he’d earned his father’s blessing. The older brother was a type of Self-Righteousness. He wanted the failed younger son to be punished for his actions. (Like the Church of Ephesus in Revelation 2 last week, Truth but no Love. Looks ugly.) It’s dangerous to compare ourselves with others and judge ourselves by others. Everything belongs to the Father and we get to share in His goodness. The world cannot stand it, nor understand this Love.
Self-Righteousness can be downright ugly, rooted in the selfish fallen nature.
The Father’s Loving Kindness, Hebrew Hesed, is so lovely and gracious in contrast.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.