Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son. Luke 15:21
Are you familiar with the story of the prodigal son, the son who took his inheritance from his father and squandered it on loose living? He had an older brother who was disgusted that his dad threw a party when the lost brother returned home. But are you aware of the third son?
Can you find the third son in the story? My pastor gave a sermon one Sunday where he pointed out the three sons. It had never occurred to me before. First let’s meet the sons you know again. The famous prodigal son is the younger son. He is the offender who is lost in his passions, a man in need of much forgiveness. His older brother is the offended because he never got a party for all his hard work. This older son is lost in his pride, also in need of much forgiveness.
My pastor explained the third son is the one who is telling the story, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Lamb, paid the sins of the other two sons, and my sins, and your sins, and the sins of the entire world. Jesus paid our sins by His death on the cross, preparing the way for us to be restored to our Father in heaven.
And our Father in heaven has a party for every lost sinner who returns to Him.
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7
When I was in elementary school, my church choir performed a musical about the three “Lost” parables (the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son). I can still remember the tune and the words:
“There is more joy in heaven for one lost soul who has found his way,
than for all ninety-nine who have never gone astray.”
Today’s TEA CUPP: Let heaven have a party tonight! Read the entire story in Luke 15:11-32. During your TEA CUPP time today, come before Jesus, ADMITTING your sins, asking Him to forgive you and be your Savior and Lord forever, for all eternity. Just like the Father, He welcomes you with open arms.
It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found. Luke 15:32
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9