I’ve always applied Luke 15 to unbelievers. I guess it’s because the chapter started with the mention of sinners. But isn’t the main perspective here God’s delight in recovering His lost children? Jesus was illustrating the joy of finding the one that was once among many and finished with a classic- the story of a father and his family.
That prodigal child could be a rebellious believer, a onetime active player in the Kingdom. Jesus was teaching His followers how to respond to brethren who quit but eventually returned.
As Christians we know how to welcome new converts, we rejoice at their arrival and share their testimonies. There are churches whose reception for first-timers is first class. Yet we hardly celebrate the restoration of backslidden brethren. Ever seen a church hold thanksgiving services for restored backsliders and give them gifts?
Should we now reward deserters like that father did to his prodigal son? Religion would suggest not. But that’s the unconditional love of a father [the Father] on display. My friend Butch Maltby said, “Mercy is a river we should never dam.” Oh, this is beyond mercy. This is how heaven kisses the earth. By grace are we saved and by grace still, are we re-saved or restored and subsequently celebrated.
My reflections here were prompted by the comments a dear disciple made. His life challenges forced me to shut down my planned activities last weekend to seek the Lord with and for him. In the course of our sharing, he said, “I’m tired of being a burden to ministers of God…” This was a loaded statement. I wondered if some ministers had unwittingly expressed (to his notice) their disgust for his unending issues in words or actions.
But would this broken disciple feel he’s a nuisance to a doctor if he’d gone to the hospital? Would he feel he’s disturbing a witchdoctor if out of desperation he chose to visit one? He would have paid these people and therefore would demand his right. Oh, but this brother was beginning to feel estranged to God’s ministers, to God’s blessings…. even to God Himself.
In Luke 15:28 we see the older, spiritual brother. He was obviously an excellent manager, one that would make a good church worker or even a pastor in some churches today. He kept all the rules, worked very hard, believed in efficiency, vision and all kinds of principles promoted today. But he never knew what it meant to enjoy his father at the deepest level. So, he couldn’t express same to another.
He was angry and would have none of this. He saw no reason for restoration of dead things. For him, this was a distraction, a misplacement of priorities and an irresponsible use of family (Kingdom) resources. One good thing though, he wasn’t pretentious. How often do we make careless comments based on our poor judgment? I feel very guilty.
Imagine this father explaining himself (after the celebration!) to his self righteous son. Isn’t Jesus nudging us here to understand His delight and passion for broken people?
Their father’s conclusion was definitive: “But it was necessary to celebrate and to be glad, because this your brother was dead and came back to life, and had been lost and was found.” (Luke 15:32)
Instead of gossiping weak and broken disciples, let’s pray for their restoration and plan a big celebration in anticipation of their return. That’s what Jesus is doing right now!!
Kingdom Exploits With Uche 
It may require surgery, but when the use of my thumb is restored, I will be celebrating!
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The problem with the religious- not the truly grace bathed individuals, is that they tend to be judgmental and harsh toward those who have fallen in one way or another. But the harm is the lack of authenticity of those who judge. The very issues all the human race faces is fallenness, depravity and unfortunate attachments; to the world, flesh and devil.
We all need support, nurture, and the ability to be real (authentic) with one another–to admit we struggle and fall, and we all only have the desire to make the ONE we love proud of bearing His name.
Health spiritually, as far as I am concerned is in the reliance on the provisions that God makes to us, of not only forgiveness and mercy, but also of courage and the ability to rise above the torments of a difficult past. We all together are much more of a blessing to our Father, when we say we need Him than we state to one another, that we are self-sufficient in our own strengths, and not in need of all His provisions toward our wayward condition.
I choose a “grace path”, that is littered with saints who have breathed their last, being faithful, but have also needed the “intensive care” of a master who has been acquainted with all our weaknesses. What can we do but stretch out our hands to Him and say I am needy, fill me one more time to make the next bit of road of obedience in the same direction?
I am broken, infested with weakness, stumbling along to make it for His sake, but I am in love deeply with Master. Is it love or is it discipline that aligns us to be closer to Him? They both do, but let us not forget to also have the other side as much as our discipline–Love!
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True!
Most of us ministers love to criticize instead of uplifting our brethren who have made mistakes.
We always pin point at them as if we have and never will ever make a mistake.
We have always taken on to judge others forgetting that we too shall be judged.
It hurts me, though it took me long to learn this one in particular. The pain of making the same mistake over and over again. This made me realize how much we need these mercies more and more from each other.
This is why God showed us an example which we must follow with hook or crook.
We are always taken up by the miracles, the anointing, the presence of God….and by the time a disciple comes to share part of his experience with us we are so deep that sometimes we think we are too spiritual to talk about it instead of facing the situation with love, mercy and boldness.
Uche this is the real thing, you are in it! In uganda we say “Oli mu kyintu”
I feel an overflow of what to write on this matter….c u next tym!
God bless you.
Martha
Baby sis
Uganda
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