September 26, 2019
Luke 15:28-29
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.  But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
New International Version (NIV)
 It is harder to get lost than it used to be.  Growing up with two older brothers, more than once I was told to get lost.  I tried a time or two but failed.  Still, it seems like back before smart phones we could go somewhere and get good and lost.  I remember making laps around the circle in Pineville, Louisiana one time with a buddy of mine.  It might as well have been a maze.  Of course, you can get lost in your own home.

Jesus told three stories about getting lost.  A man lost one of his one hundred sheep and searched until he found it.  Remember the lady who lost one of her ten coins, searched for it and found it.  Then there were the two lost brothers.  One left home and found himself lost in a foreign land.  The other stayed home and was lost because he resented his father’s love for his brother.

Obviously the third story is more difficult.  We love the story of the father welcoming his prodigal son home and restoring him to full sonship.  Why won’t the older brother come in the house and celebrate his brother’s return?  He resents his father’s love for his brother.  He’d rather stay mad outside than go in and join the forgiveness party.  Does he ever go inside?  Luke doesn’t tell us.  Leaving it open-ended, Luke tells first and twenty-first century Pharisees that they can either let God love them or languish in our own lost relationship with our father.  Isn’t it time to come inside the party?
Pray with me:       
Father, we once were lost but now we are found.  Help us to come home to you.  Thank you for waiting by the window to see us coming home.  If we resent your goodness to others, change our hearts God.  Let us return to you and share your joy, we pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.  
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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