March 25 | Luke 15:24-32

---

DAILY READING

Luke 15:24-32

---

REFLECTION

Homecoming

By Pam Mann

 Jesus first tells this familiar story to an odd assortment of folks: Pharisees and law experts, on one hand, and, on the other extreme, tax collectors and “sinners.” The two groups have different social standing, different ideas of what God wants, and different ideas about Jesus. They're polar opposites within the small world that is first-century Judaism. Jesus tells this rich story so that both groups might see their need for grace and how eager God is to bestow it. Jesus wants them and us to know that, though polar opposites, they have massively huge in common. They have a tender, forgiving heavenly Father.

In the story, the absent son hit rock-bottom. He knows he’s screwed up and has headed home to admit just that to his dad. It's the son who never left home who now has the bigger problem. Now this son, Mr. I-never-go-anywhere, explodes in anger at the celebration which his jerk brother's return has inspired. In unleashing his pent-up rage, this older lost son reveals to his dad his resentment and his poor grasp of what his father is all about. This son, though physically present, has also been distant from his father’s heart.

How disappointing for this magnanimous patriarch when his stay-at-home son reveals how far he also has been from the father’s priorities. Neither son sees the world as their father does. Each son is self-serving, ever on the lookout for what best serves himself. Each son feels entitled to his inheritance with no sense of gratitude to their father. Neither of these two characters deserves such a generous father. Kinda like us, huh?

The good news for us in this rich story is that our heavenly Father loves and forgives both of his lost sons. The nature of our lostness makes no difference to how fully and compassionately the Father welcomes us.  The specifics of what has sucked us away from a tender vibrant connection to our gentle Father are like water under the bridge.

Our sorted pasts are forgiven and forgotten at great price. A great price was paid and now the way home is paved with grace and mercy. Lift up your weary head and behold the goodness of your God. Open your eyes to see your heavenly Father running to you with open arms. Know the freedom his forgiveness brings. A new life awaits.

PRAYER

Thank you, Father, that You are running to me with open arms. No more excuses. I’m coming home to You.  Amen.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.

---

March 24 | Luke 15:11-23

---

DAILY READING

Luke 15:11-23

---

REFLECTION

You're Home!

By Dave Mann

The Parable of the Lost Son is perhaps the best-known and most loved of all Jesus’ parables.  In today’s portion of this parable, the two main characters are the father and the younger son.

The father’s grace and forbearance are evident from the start of the parable.  When the younger son asks for his share of the inheritance even before the father passes away, the father consents and grants the son’s request.  Such a decision may seem to be overly compliant.  What the father was thinking is not revealed in the parable, but he does indeed allow the distribution of a portion of the inheritance to the younger son.

The younger son’s insensitive arrogance is also evident from the story's start.  In his forward request, the son was saying, “I can’t wait for you to die, Dad, so give me my inheritance now.  I want your stuff more than I want you.”  Arrogance incarnate! 

A few days later, the son packs up new wealth and takes off to unknown parts.  Of course, as he spent his money, new “friends” appeared to enjoy it with him.  But then hard times of famine fall upon the community, and the younger son finds himself alone.  He has to take whatever job is available, and he hires himself out to tend pigs.  Imagine the gasps of Jesus’ first Jewish audience as they heard this disgusting twist in the tale.

The tragedy of the famine was no doubt the best thing that could have happened to the younger son.  It showed him the insincerity of his new “friends.”  It also reminded him of his father’s love and fairness even to the hired workers.  God’s love and faithfulness can take a severe form at times.  God knows how to orchestrate difficult times to get our attention.

In his hardship, the son comes to his senses as he realizes that even his father’s hired help has more to eat than he has.  So, he prepares his speech to show his repentance and to ask to be taken back, not as a son but rather as a hired hand.  And so the son starts his trek back home.

Unbeknownst to the son, the father had not given up on him.  The father was still scanning the horizon, hoping to see the son’s return.  When he makes out the silhouette of his son at a distance, he does what is not expected of any dignified landowner.  He runs!  Wrapped in the father’s arms, the son starts his memorized text, but the father does not allow his son to finish the speech.  “You’re home!  You’re home!  Thank God, you’re home!”

The rest of the parable tomorrow...

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace that knows no bounds.  Forgive me when I value your blessings more than I value your presence.  Oh, feeling your arms wrapped around me is more than I deserve.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

---

March 23 | Luke 15:1-10

---

DAILY READING

Luke 15:1-10

---

REFLECTION

Angels Rejoice

By Elaine Pierce

Did you notice how this passage begins: Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him. If I was a cynic, I would say, of course tax collectors are sinners - you don't need to repeat yourself, Luke. But perhaps he is making a bigger point: all of those gathered to hear Jesus are sinners - and that includes me and you. The Pharisees, of course, reject this view, and they judge Jesus for what they consider to be a grievous mistake: associating with people who aren't as 'good' as they are. He clearly has bad judgment, and he shouldn't be wasting his time with these people.

Thanks be to God that he does! These two short parables, the lost sheep and the lost coin, are familiar ones, and they both challenge and comfort us. Jesus is always ready to welcome us home, isn't he? The shepherd does not rest until he brings his wayward sheep back to the fold. And he tells his friends and neighbors how happy he is that the lost sheep has been found. So, too, does the woman who loses her coin share the good news that she has found it with her loved ones.

There is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents (v. 7).

There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (v. 10).

Take a moment to picture rejoicing in heaven. It must be far beyond what we can picture or imagine, and that rejoicing occurs because a lost soul has been found and returns to faith. You may have had a desert experience yourself, or you may be praying even now for a loved one to return to Jesus. Picture the shepherd looking for his lost sheep.....the woman searching high and low for her lost coin. Jesus is searching for us. He is standing on the front porch, and when he sees us heading down the road back to him, he runs to us, and he wraps his arms around us, and he welcomes us home. Take time to thank him for his steadfast love, despite our wandering hearts. And look forward to the rejoicing in heaven - what a day that will be!

PRAYER

Lord, you search for me as the shepherd searches for his sheep, as the woman searches for her lost coin. You rejoice when I repent and come to you. I pray for those I love who are far from you - that your hand of grace and mercy will be upon them. Thank you for your kindness and goodness, and that there will be rejoicing in heaven every day. In your precious name I pray, Amen.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!

---