Luke 15:20  So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
 

Joan and Sally argued, said hurtful words, and broke off a three-year friendship. Although they each missed the other, neither would pick up the telephone to apologize. The breach lasted six long months.

One day Joan heard from a mutual friend that Sally's daughter was seriously ill and near death. Without a minute's hesitation, Jona grabbed her car keys and drove to the hospital. Sally looked up as Joan entered the little girl's room and saw that Joan's eyes were filled with love and concern. Sally reached out to Joan and the two women hugged. "I'm sorry," Joan whispered.

"Me, too," Sally responded, regretting the lost six months of her friend's companionship and support.

How often do we let petty issues create a rift in precious friendships? Our pride may keep us from apologizing or forgiving or both. So few of the issues we argue or disagree about are of eternal significance. Jesus said that we ought to reconcile with one another. He said that before we worship God we need to ensure that all is right between us and others. And often, when we do reach out or give in a little, we find that the other person is ready to resume the relationship. If you have a relationship that needs repair, begin the effort of reconciliation right away.

There was a rift between us and God; but Jesus reconciled the relationship through His death on the cross. We have His forgiveness to strengthen us as we forgive others.

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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Luke 15:10  There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

It is Sunday morning. In the early service, identical twins are baptized. At the late service five adults are accepted into membership. As God's people, are we ecstatic and happy? Are we concerned about the length of the service? Are the angels rejoicing?

Although I don't have a complete understanding or clear picture of what is meant by "rejoicing in the presence of the angels," this verse is sandwiched among the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son. In each of the parables there is great concern or sorrow over the loss and great joy and excitement over finding the lost item or person.

It would seem that the greatest party on earth would be appropriate when a person who was lost is found just like the party the father had for the prodigal (lost) but found son. For is, does that happen when a person is called into a saving relationship with Christ by the Word or through Baptism? As God's people, do we rejoice when the lost are found? There are parties for school graduations and weddings. It is most fitting that we have parties for Baptisms and confirmations.

Let us join in the biggest and best party with the angels as each and every person is added to the Book of Life.
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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,
 

Luke 12:35  Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.

The preponderance of Christians are in the receiving line. After all, Christianity isn't something we do, not at its heart, but what God does, for us, in Christ Jesus. A disciple, nonetheless, is someone who has moved to the serving end of the table. Disciples are Christians who have gone to work, and sometimes at considerable cost and no small effort.

In discipleship we do not enter upon a broad and comfortable way. As often as not the road is narrow and full of demanding potholes, and sometimes it calls for painful privations. Discipleship doesn't simplify life or make it easier. In fact, if you are the kind who is inordinately concerned about a dichondra lawn, an arbored patio, or just a roof over your head, discipleship may not be your cup of tea. Disciples are guaranteed no minimum wage and offered no fringe benefits. I'm not just making this up. Jesus said it; He said it again and again, knowing, I suppose, we really wouldn't believe it at first: "Foxes have holes (so if the safety of that appeals to you, be a fox) and birds of the air have nests (be a bird, if protection is that high on your list of priorities), but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head" (Matthew 8:20). Follow Jesus, be His disciple, and you can pretty well count on some sleepless nights.

We like to think of our Christian faith in terms of its comfort and peace and all the things it freely gives us. All that is true. But so is this: There is what someone has called "the stormy north side of Christ." To follow Christ, where He leads, to be His disciple, entails some sacrifice on your part, too.
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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Luke 12:32  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Anxiety is a big issue in life for many people. It is fostered by concern over our health, our family, our job, and our financial security. Anxiety can drive us into thinking that we are responsible for getting ourselves out of whatever mess we're in. As we attempt to get out of the quagmire of our anxiety, we only seem to succeed in plunging ourselves deeper.

Anxiety is really a matter of misplaced trust - trusting ourselves instead of God. We find it difficult to take God at His Word, trusting that He knows what we need. How could a God who seems so remote know the ordeals that we have to suffer on the human scene? In answer to our doubts about God's care for us, we build up our own self-sufficient kingdoms - kingdoms in which we are the masters of our destiny. We try to be the creators of our own lifestyles and providers for all our desires and needs. We slave away at getting the things that make for the good life.

Slaving away is probably the best description because it aptly describes our condition before God. We are enslaved to sin, to our evil desires, to our self-centeredness. We try to earn what we deserve - and we succeed because we have earned death.

Our trust has been misplaced. And our anxiety grows. But God in His lavish love gives us the gift of His kingdom. It is to be His kingdom, not ours; His righteousness, not our pride or efforts. God, "who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all" (Romans 8:32), gives us the kingdom of His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. His Son, Jesus, took a cross, the load of our sin, and cruel death to free us from anxiety, to relieve us of the burden of trying to play king of our own kingdoms. Through Christ's death and resurrection we have been made children of God, inheritors of the kingdom of God. We can trust our Lord to provide for us. Thus we follow in the footsteps of His lavish love.
 

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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Luke 12:7  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.

Jesus had just pointed out the birds in their commonness, their number, the way God cares for them. He stressed to His listeners that the Father knows the birds, each and every one of them!

And then He pushes the illustration either to absurdity or awe by adding that the Father even keeps track of the hair count of every human head!

But neither the birds or human hair are the point of His conversation. The point is us. The same God who has all that detailed, technical curiosity about birds and hair has an even more intense, watchful concern for every one of us. So says Jesus.

And proof? Then and now the proof is in the redemptive work of Christ so clearly spelled out in Scripture. He not only died to save all His children but sent His Spirit that we might believe in what He has done. Some God!

And if all that's so, what's to worry? About anything?
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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Luke 11:28  Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

Jesus was not about to be distracted in His ministry even if the distraction was someone who said something nice about His mother. After hearing Him speak, a woman in the crowd said, "Blessed is the mother who gave You birth and nursed You." Jesus responded with our text. In essence He said, "There are a lot of nice things in life, but when it comes down to it, nothing is nicer than the hearing, and then doing, of what God wants.

That's the sequence. First comes hearing. Then, hopefully, the doing. Doing never precedes hearing. Godly hearing gathers the data on which godly doing is based. Hearing God is essential to the Christian life.

That means that the hearing that takes place in the Bible study, in worship, and in Christian conversation is important - fundamental. It is the point of beginning, but it's not the end of it. The end of each listening session is on the other side of doing.
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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Luke 11:13  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

Well? What do you think? Do most parents know how to care for their children? They must, for about the most common reluctant commendations of even evil people is,  "He/she was a caring father/mother." The police have captured some wanted men in the past by keeping watch of their children, confident that the criminal father would contact his child.

Jesus makes His point: If it's true that bad folks can do good things for their sons and daughters, just imagine the great good that the author of good, the heavenly Father, will do for His! No evil comes from Him. No harm hides within His active care. Even the worst things that befall us, Paul testifies, are worked by our loving Lord into something very good (see Romans 8:28).

Do you want proof that that is true? Look at Calvary, on a Friday that only children of the Father could call good. What a great thing He did there for us!
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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,