“ONCE there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. This story is about something that happened to them when they were sent away from London during the war because of the air-raids. They were sent to the house of an old Professor who lived in the heart of the country, ten miles from the nearest railway station and two miles from the nearest post office. He had no wife and he lived in a very large house with a housekeeper called Mrs. Macready and three servants.”
C.S. Lewis starts this novel, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, with a bit of a mystery. Four siblings are being sent from their home into the middle of nowhere. Of course, an adventure is to be had! I’m drawn in and I can’t wait to find out more about Narnia. Do you remember any of the books you read growing up? I remember some, and this series was one of them. While I don’t remember exactly everything that happens in this novel or this series, I can recall with clarity exactly how reading this series made me feel. Full of wonder, but also something more—that maybe there was something more out there in the world. Or that my world was a larger place than I originally thought.
There is a unique way that stories tend to stick with us, isn’t there? Sometimes they’re the ones we relate to, the ones we can understand. But sometimes they are the “mysterious” ones – those that we don’t quite get until they are explained to us. Whatever it is for you, stories have a way of engaging our minds and hearts. Jesus taught in parables, a form of storytelling. Parables, sometimes referred to as short stories with big truths, are intended to open our eyes to deeper insights about Christ and His kingdom. At the same time, they give us a glimpse into the spiritual realm. Jesus was a storyteller. In fact, about a third of Jesus’s teachings were in parables. He used the 30-plus ones He taught in the gospels to influence and challenge the thinking of his audience, and to help people consider a different perspective about Himself and the kingdom of God. These parables were designed to convey truths to be understood, and principles to be put into practice. They also had an emotional impact that made them more meaningful and memorable to those who “had ears to hear.” Parables still serve the same purpose for us today as they did for the original audience. They can help us in our perception of Jesus’ ministry, and give us an understanding about how the kingdom of God works.
My favorite set of parables teach similar themes, and they can all be found in Luke chapter 15. They are the parables we call “The Lost Sheep,” “The Lost Coin,” and “The Lost/Prodigal Son.” All three teach us about loss and redemption, using themes including rescue, repentance, reconciliation and restoration. Rescue, as part of the mission of Christ (John 3:16). Repentance, the kind that leads to salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). Reconciliation, as to re-establish a relationship (Rom. 5:9-11). Restoration, as new creations (2 Cor. 5:17). They also teach us about the love and mercy of God (Eph. 2:4-5). We learn in part from these parables about the loving and forgiving nature of God. As long as you still have breath in your lungs, there is ALWAYS an opportunity for you to repent and take hold of the gift of salvation that Christ secured for us on the cross.
In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus invites us to place ourselves into the story with, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.” In doing this Jesus is appealing to our intuitive reasoning and experience. This parable ends with the shepherd finding his lost sheep, bringing it home, and excitedly sharing this news with his neighbors and friends. Jesus makes it known that this is the kind of joy and celebration that happens in heaven when a person repents and puts their faith in him. Similar to the parable of the lost sheep is the parable of the lost coin. In this story, a woman loses her coin. She looks for it diligently, and finds it. She then calls her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her. Jesus uses this to communicate again to us that this is what happens in heaven when a person repents and puts their faith in him. The last parable in Luke 15 has a slight difference. This time, we not only see a son that is lost, but rather two sons. The younger brother left in order to be lost, but the older brother stayed, and was in a sense “lost” as well, as seen in his negative response to the celebration of his brother’s return home (Luke 15:28-32). The older brother’s attitude was like that of the Pharisees, whose negative attitude towards Jesus led him to tell these parables. May we pray and live in a way that does not reflect the heart of this older brother. Namely, without pride or bitterness or resentment. But rather with humility, gratitude and joy. I propose we rename this story, “The Parable of the two sons,” – but I digress. The description of the father’s posture and his reception of the younger brother back home, gives us a picture of God’s heart towards sinners (Isa. 55:7). Although this parable teaches a similar lesson as the others, it says more about the love of the father. It tells more about how much he wanted his son to come home. This father is like God. God loves us and wants us to repent and come home to him (1 Tim. 2:4). May we also recognize, like a good shepherd, God’s tender and personal concern for sinners like us. He has a joyous love for individuals who are lost in sin, but are found through repentance that leads to salvation. As R.C. Sproul reminds us, “Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He is the Seeker; we are the ones who are running.”
There are many other parables that Jesus taught to illustrate how the kingdom of God works. In them, He paints with words a beautiful picture of God’s grace in His desire to see the lost return to Him. I have only shared a few with you here, but for a richer and fuller context, I invite you to take some time to read these three parables in Luke 15. And for a comprehensive insight, you can also read all the other parables in the four gospels. As you do so, I pray that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened to see our Savior as beautiful, and that you would come to honor him in your heart as he deserves. If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, don’t you think it’s time you accepted his offer of salvation? I pray that you will be drawn to Him, repent, believe and confess Him as Lord and Savior (Rom. 10:9-10). Praise the Father, Praise the Son, Praise the Holy Spirit – Glory to God!
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” – Joel 2:12-13
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
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