Bible Reading:
Luke 15:1-13
1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Devotional:
One of the most difficult times in the life of parents is the time when their son or daughter leaves home. It is difficult when this is an actual geographic departing. The son (or daughter) may even take to the road, having no real plan or destination. He may move into an apartment by himself or into a house with friends. He may go away to college or into the military service. Or he may leave to get married. Whatever the case, this represents a breach in the close relationship which has been maintained between home and child through many years.
But the parent realizes, if he is a thinking person, that this breach is a part of life as God designed it. His son is growing up and becoming an independent human being. The parent adjusts to the departure and attempts to rearrange his life style.
The kind of departure that is most difficult to accept is the ideological, when the child departs from the way of thinking and living of his family. He may do this and not even leave home. But he is gone.
The amazing thing about the father in this parable is his attitude at such a time. He respects the decision of the departing son. He gives him what he asks for. Without rancor he says goodbye. His attitude at the departure leaves the way open for the return!
Jesus is telling us about the heavenly Father, but there is a lesson, too, for us in our own dealings with our family. How needful is this lesson for parents who have ahead of them this difficult experience of the departure of a son or daughter! We should pray for a gentle spirit, a calm understanding of the problems of our day. This young person has his whole life ahead of him. Sometimes he is given strength to follow God's way readily. Sometimes he cannot just follow in our way without exploring the alternatives. When he goes we do not know what to expect. We can do nothing else but let him go, being sure to leave the door ajar for his return!
We are happy to have obtained permission to post as our current daily devotional Heirs Together of Life: Daily Bible Reading for Husbands and Wives, published by The Banner of Truth Trust. Don't be misled by the subtitle. As the book's "Preface" indicates (see below), although Heirs Together of Life is "especially prepared for couples,"the authors declare, "Since the basis for this guide is God's Word, we believe it would have value for any reader."
Charles and Norma Ellis are husband and wife and the authors not only of Heirs Together of Life (which was first published in 1980 and continues in print today), but also of Wells of Salvation (first published in 1985, and likewise still in print today). The latter contains a series of short studies covering the entire book of Isaiah, while the former contains a series of almost 200 short studies covering the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Both books by the Ellises can be ordered from the publisher, The Banner of Truth Trust. We trust that these daily Bible readings, posted daily on our site, will be helpful to you in your Christian walk before God. Whether married or not, all of us are members of families and members of the family of God.
Charles Ellis was educated at Wheaton College and Westminster Theological Seminary. Upon graduation from Westminster (where he earned not only a Th.B. but also a Th.M.), he was ordained to the ministry in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and pastored a number of OPC churches, including Immanuel OPC in West Collingswood, New Jersey; First OPC in Cincinnati, Ohio; Covenant OPC in East Orange, New Jersey; Knox OPC in Silver Spring, Maryland; and Lakeview OPC in Rockport, Maine. Less biographical information is available about his wife, but it is known that they served as parents of seven children. After retiring from the ministry, Charles Ellis went to be with the Lord in 2003, but he and his wife left us with a beautiful legacy in the two books they have given to the world, and we are proud to share the daily Bible readings from Heirs Together of Life here with you.
© 2024 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church