Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to make merry.
Ah my Friends, yesterday I was lost, but today I’m found; found by the diligent searching of Christ. I’m still coughing and taking all sorts of stuff for it, but my spirit’s been uplifted by a gentle nudge from Jesus. What a wonderful and caring shepherd He is, who searches for even one lost sheep. ‘What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost until he find it?’ (Luke 15:4) Is there any other like Him? Of course not! ‘And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.’ (vs.5) Praise His Holy Name! He’s so caring that he carries the lost sheep on His shoulders. ‘And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ (vs.6) Oh Friends, isn’t our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ amazing; in fact the Greatest? He would go searching for one lost sheep, and when He finds it, comes home rejoicing with it over His shoulders and throws a party in the neighbourhood. Wow! And my people, that’s exactly how He reacts to any of us who’s lost his way. He goes out and searches for us until He finds us, then brings us back to the safety of His eternal fold, celebrating His find. ‘I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.’ (vs.7) Yes my Friends, that’s just how it is. There’s much rejoicing in heaven even when one lonesome sinner is led to the straight and narrow. Our Saviour just doesn’t feel good or comfortable if any of us are drifting aimlessly. As He explained to Zaccheus; ‘For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ (Luke 19:10) That’s why Jesus did not hang around much with the elite, who figured they were already God’s chosen, but with the supposed dregs of society; the sick and suffering, the lame, the beggars, those of dubious character and morals; like all of His disciples. He came to save those who considered themselves hopeless, who knew in their hearts that they were sinners and were lost. Now that did not only apply to the poor and lowly, but also to the rich, like Zaccheus, the chief publican. And we can see why he was rich; he used his brains. Since he was short, he realized that he wouldn’t be able to see above the crowd forming around Jesus, so he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree to get a grandstand view. And what do you think happened? When Jesus passed by, He looked up in the tree, saw him, and called out to him; ‘Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide in thy house. And he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully.’ (Luke 19:5-6) Wow! Look at that eh. Jesus didn’t even ask Zaccheus if He could come to his house, He told Him so. And Zaccheus was only too happy to oblige. That’s how obliging we ought to be when He wants to come into our hearts and lives. But as usual, the more holy than thou hypocrites always have something negative to say, and these grumbled, ‘That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.’ (Luke 19:7) And what were they eh? But I admire Jesus’ attitude. He ignored their hypocritical complaints, for He knew what He was about, He was focused on His job, that of finding and saving sinners, and with a big one on His line, He certainly wasn’t going to let it get away because of some ole hypocrites. And after Zaccheus acknowledged that he wasn’t the greatest, but tried to do right, Jesus comforted him; ‘This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.’ (Luke 19:9) There you go my brethren; one more sinner saved! The same type of story is borne out in the parable of the Prodigal Son. All the father cared about was his son being alive and home, a son he’d thought lost, or even dead. To him, that was more than enough reason to break out the fatted calf and throw a sumptuous party. Oh Friends, the Lord’s very concerned about those who’ve gone astray, and are floundering in the enemy’s clutches. But believe me, when we return..Hn! He just rushes out and greets us with open arms, enfolds us in a big bear hug, comforts and welcomes us back home. Then He turns to the angels and rebukes them. ‘What all yuh waiting for eh? Yuh ent see mih son who we thought was lost, even dead, is alive and he come back home. Go and bring out the best clean clothes for him to put on. And while yuh at it, kill the biggest pig, the biggest, goat, the biggest cow and nuff yard fowl, so we could have some jerk pork and jerk chicken, curry goat and curry chicken, and some roast and stew beef. Fix up some rice and peas…and some buss up shut roti too. Oh, and some mannish water too! He looking wasted and meagre, like he ent eat a good meal in a long time. The mannish water going strengthen him, put some pep in ‘im stride. And some crab and callaloo too, with some ripe plantain, sweet potatoe and some blue food. Ah sure is long time he ent eat that too. And we going to wash that down with plenty ice cold lemonade. Now all yuh use the real limes and them from off the tree eh! Not the chupid synthetic thing in the bottle. And for dessert is coconut ice cream, with sponge cake and cassava pone. Now doh forget to invite the whole neighbourhood too eh, because tonight is the party to end all parties. Mih young son, who ah thought was lost, or even dead, is alive…Thanks be to God! Ah doh know where he went or what he do…ah doh care either. He come back home safe and sound, though li’l bit skinny, and that’s all that matters. So the food going to be plentiful, the music loud, and the waters flowing!’ Wow Friends! Isn’t that a most wonderful reception after all our sinful behaviour and mistakes? But that’s exactly how the Lord feels when we return to His ever-LOVING fold. So let’s go out there and see if we can’t get more prodigals to come back home nuh! I’m sure the Lord would be extremely ecstatic if the party in heaven could go on non-stop. Much LOVE!…our job…to call the lost to Jesus…to salvation…and eternal life…
Ah my Friends, yesterday I was lost, but today I’m found; found by the diligent searching of Christ. I’m still coughing and taking all sorts of stuff for it, but my spirit’s been uplifted by a gentle nudge from Jesus. What a wonderful and caring shepherd He is, who searches for even one lost sheep. ‘What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost until he find it?’ (Luke 15:4) Is there any other like Him? Of course not! ‘And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.’ (vs.5) Praise His Holy Name! He’s so caring that he carries the lost sheep on His shoulders. ‘And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ (vs.6) Oh Friends, isn’t our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ amazing; in fact the Greatest? He would go searching for one lost sheep, and when He finds it, comes home rejoicing with it over His shoulders and throws a party in the neighbourhood. Wow! And my people, that’s exactly how He reacts to any of us who’s lost his way. He goes out and searches for us until He finds us, then brings us back to the safety of His eternal fold, celebrating His find. ‘I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.’ (vs.7) Yes my Friends, that’s just how it is. There’s much rejoicing in heaven even when one lonesome sinner is led to the straight and narrow. Our Saviour just doesn’t feel good or comfortable if any of us are drifting aimlessly. As He explained to Zaccheus; ‘For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ (Luke 19:10) That’s why Jesus did not hang around much with the elite, who figured they were already God’s chosen, but with the supposed dregs of society; the sick and suffering, the lame, the beggars, those of dubious character and morals; like all of His disciples. He came to save those who considered themselves hopeless, who knew in their hearts that they were sinners and were lost. Now that did not only apply to the poor and lowly, but also to the rich, like Zaccheus, the chief publican. And we can see why he was rich; he used his brains. Since he was short, he realized that he wouldn’t be able to see above the crowd forming around Jesus, so he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree to get a grandstand view. And what do you think happened? When Jesus passed by, He looked up in the tree, saw him, and called out to him; ‘Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide in thy house. And he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully.’ (Luke 19:5-6) Wow! Look at that eh. Jesus didn’t even ask Zaccheus if He could come to his house, He told Him so. And Zaccheus was only too happy to oblige. That’s how obliging we ought to be when He wants to come into our hearts and lives. But as usual, the more holy than thou hypocrites always have something negative to say, and these grumbled, ‘That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.’ (Luke 19:7) And what were they eh? But I admire Jesus’ attitude. He ignored their hypocritical complaints, for He knew what He was about, He was focused on His job, that of finding and saving sinners, and with a big one on His line, He certainly wasn’t going to let it get away because of some ole hypocrites. And after Zaccheus acknowledged that he wasn’t the greatest, but tried to do right, Jesus comforted him; ‘This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.’ (Luke 19:9) There you go my brethren; one more sinner saved! The same type of story is borne out in the parable of the Prodigal Son. All the father cared about was his son being alive and home, a son he’d thought lost, or even dead. To him, that was more than enough reason to break out the fatted calf and throw a sumptuous party. Oh Friends, the Lord’s very concerned about those who’ve gone astray, and are floundering in the enemy’s clutches. But believe me, when we return..Hn! He just rushes out and greets us with open arms, enfolds us in a big bear hug, comforts and welcomes us back home. Then He turns to the angels and rebukes them. ‘What all yuh waiting for eh? Yuh ent see mih son who we thought was lost, even dead, is alive and he come back home. Go and bring out the best clean clothes for him to put on. And while yuh at it, kill the biggest pig, the biggest, goat, the biggest cow and nuff yard fowl, so we could have some jerk pork and jerk chicken, curry goat and curry chicken, and some roast and stew beef. Fix up some rice and peas…and some buss up shut roti too. Oh, and some mannish water too! He looking wasted and meagre, like he ent eat a good meal in a long time. The mannish water going strengthen him, put some pep in ‘im stride. And some crab and callaloo too, with some ripe plantain, sweet potatoe and some blue food. Ah sure is long time he ent eat that too. And we going to wash that down with plenty ice cold lemonade. Now all yuh use the real limes and them from off the tree eh! Not the chupid synthetic thing in the bottle. And for dessert is coconut ice cream, with sponge cake and cassava pone. Now doh forget to invite the whole neighbourhood too eh, because tonight is the party to end all parties. Mih young son, who ah thought was lost, or even dead, is alive…Thanks be to God! Ah doh know where he went or what he do…ah doh care either. He come back home safe and sound, though li’l bit skinny, and that’s all that matters. So the food going to be plentiful, the music loud, and the waters flowing!’ Wow Friends! Isn’t that a most wonderful reception after all our sinful behaviour and mistakes? But that’s exactly how the Lord feels when we return to His ever-LOVING fold. So let’s go out there and see if we can’t get more prodigals to come back home nuh! I’m sure the Lord would be extremely ecstatic if the party in heaven could go on non-stop. Much LOVE!…our job…to call the lost to Jesus…to salvation…and eternal life…
SCRIP-BITS 