Daniel Hope

In the black of night a loving shepherd tirelessly searches for the sheep that has gone astray. With each swipe of the broom a woman hopes to see through the cloud of dust the sparkle of the coin she has lost. Sitting in front of the window a father anxiously gazes into the distance hoping to see his boy that has been gone for so long. The "Master Teacher," in Luke 15, tells three stories about a shepherd, a woman, and a father to the multitudes that are following Him. These stories, or parables, are Jesus’ way of responding to the scribes’ and Pharisees’ charge against Him. These Jewish religious leaders pointed their accusatory fingers at Jesus and criticized, "This man receives sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2). Jesus doesn’t deny or ignore this allegation; He simply shows that this statement that was intended to slander Him actually speaks His highest praise.

Charles Dickens, the author of A Tale of Two Cities, once stated that he felt that the third parable Jesus told in Luke 15, "The Parable of the Loving Father," was the greatest short story ever written. This parable—the original tale of two cities—tells of a city where the father’s house is located and a city of sin far away from the father’s house. As the story goes, the prodigal left home with his inheritance for the far distant country, wasted all his money, and finally returned home to his father. Some may be tempted to hear the prodigal’s story and think, "That’s the life! This guy had the best of both worlds! He could have all the fun he wanted and then come back to the rules and regulations of the father’s house whenever he felt like it!" A bit more reflection will prove that it doesn’t pay to live the life of the prodigal.

It doesn’t pay to live the life of the prodigal because some prodigals never make the round-trip. Many prodigals leave the father’s house with the intentions of one day returning. However, their intentions never become actions. They may become enamored with the life of sin and lose all desire to return. Guilt overwhelms others, causing them to think that it is hopeless to return since they have disappointed their father so badly. For others, time simply runs out. The reasons are varied, but the results are the same—they never make it back to the father.

When you are tempted to think that it pays to live the life of the prodigal, think about the people who you influence. It is very unlikely that the prodigal son, before he went back home, caught up with all of his old buddies in the far country to tell them what he was about to do. His friends didn’t remember him as the repentant son who returned to the father, but as the rebellious son who ran from the father. The fact of the matter is that very often we only have one chance to influence people. Sometimes you never have a second chance to make an impression.

A third reason that it doesn’t pay to live the life of the prodigal is that opportunities are lost in the far country of sin. It is true that our God is a from-this-day-forward God. It is true that our God is a God of tomorrow rather than a God of yesterday. Yet, it is also true that opportunities that are lost while living in sin can never be reclaimed for God.

If you are ever tempted to think that the prodigal’s way is the best way, remember the scars that sin leaves. The prodigal came home with no sandals, no ring, and no robe—the far distant country had left its mark. Sin seems to have a way of leaving its mark. Thankfully, we don’t have to live with the guilt of our forgiven sins, but we may have to live with the consequences of those sins.

It doesn’t pay to live the life of the prodigal!

"Near the close of his life, Dr. Russel Conwell said these challenging words to friends: ‘Always remember that when you take a step toward God, God takes a step toward you!’"

~ Knight’s Treasury of 2,000 Illustrations

Heather and I want you to know that appreciate very much the warm welcome that we have received from you all. We fell blessed to be a part of this church family here at Great Oaks and look forward to the future.