Dearest e-votees-
Day seventy-four of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible. If you want to see the readings for our trip through the Bible you can follow this link:
Peace,
Karl
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Day 74 Readings: Luke 10:1-20:19
The appointed lessons for today include Luke 15 (the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son which some (including Lutheran music group Lost and Found) refer to as the lost chapter of Luke).
The story of the son who takes all of his inheritance, squanders it, comes home in desperation and receives a joyous reception is all of our stories. We have all received so very much from God. We have all allowed our gifts and inheritances to be squandered poorly--often in self-serving ways. At some point, hopefully, we recognize the bankruptcy in our lives. We can come to the place of returning to God seeking whatever might come our way. God opens the floodgate. God runs up the driveway to meet us. God gives us more than we could ever imagine or deserve. God throws us a party when we deserve so very much less. Thanks be to a gracious and generous God who lets love and reconciliation trump justice and just desserts.
The story of the broody older brother is all of our stories. We have seen others who seem to be let off the hook too easily. We never got that special treatment. No one threw us a party like the one our reprobate brother got. If being in the party means being with the likes of "those people" we'd rather stay outside pouting thank you very much. God will plead and beg with us to be more like God and the father. We might or we might not. The end of the story of the older sibling isn't spelled out so clearly.
God never forgets us as we wander nor as we brood. God desires peace, love and reconciliation. Will we enter more fully into God's good plans?
God, teach us to seek you when we lose our way. Help us lean hard into your mercy and grace. Shape our hearts that we might celebrate when our wayward siblings stumble home too. Amen.
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