Articles
When They Return (Part 1)
In the fifteenth chapter of Luke, Jesus spoke the parables of “the lost
things.” There was a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. Though
our space does not allow a full study of this great chapter, there are
observations that will help us concerning our attitude towards those
that return.
First, we would see the urgency on the part of the shepherd and the
woman. It says of both of them, they went after and sought diligently
“until he [she] found it” (Luke 15:4, 8). It is certainly a reflection of the
value placed upon the object. Second, we would notice the response
of the father when his son returned. Jesus said “His father saw him,
and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed
him” (Luke 15:20). The father said, “Bring forth the best robe, and put
it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring
hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry” (Luke
15:22, 23). Before we leave this context, there is one other observa-
tion. Jesus concluded the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin
with this statement: “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the pres-
ence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth (Luke
15:10). It is interesting to see that it does not say the angels are re-
joicing. It says, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God.” If
the father of the prodigal represents our Father in Heaven, then we
see there is joy, even with God, when they return.
