Reading the Bible Everyday – Luke 15

Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #59.  Today we’ll read the 15th chapter of Luke together:  A parable about a lost sheep that was found; another one about a lost coin that was found; and the parable of the prodigal son.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

I read Proverbs 17:23 yesterday and it goes like this:  “The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice.”  It gave me pause.  What immediately came to my mind was the awful current events that we are seeing and hearing about on our news streams and TVs right now.  The proverb confirms my belief that the cacophony of violence is actually drowning out the more important conversation.  This is not the time for a political stand; this is the time to stand with our black brothers and sisters, to be frugal with our words and generous with our listening.  That’s what brothers and sisters do.  Take your feelings of disgust and do what you can to make sure your local police department is deserving of the trust we all had as kids regarding  grown-ups with badges.  And as you watch TV and see this destruction, beware of the wicked who accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice.

Luke Chapter 15:  1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!” 3 So He told them this parable: 4 “What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ 7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance. 8 “Or what woman who has 10 silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she finds it, she calls her women friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost!’ 10 I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” 11 He also said: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. 14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. 15 Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any. 17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father told his slaves, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he summoned one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 ” ‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ “

What a great chapter!  One of my favorites.  I hope you didn’t hear me get choked up when the father told the servant to get his son a robe and a ring and new sandals.  Goodness, how he must have loved him!  I also probably don’t have to explain to you that the father in this story represents God.  And the prodigal?  Well, that’s you and me.  I don’t have to think very long to remember some of the foolish things I’ve asked for and done like this son.  I’ve rehearsed a few of those speeches too.  I’m still trying to work out being humble before being humiliated.  Did you notice that the son didn’t have to knock on the door?  The father saw him from a long way off…he was looking for him.  Just like your heavenly Father is looking for you.  Let’s pray.  Father, thank You that despite my unworthiness, You were looking for me.  Lord, I suspect there are those listening who do not know their way to You…they are lost.  They’re not sure if they will spend eternity with You in heaven.  Holy Spirit, I pray that You would speak to those hearts right now.  Tell them You’re looking for them…all they need to do is come home to You.  Amen.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!