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169:1.1 On Thursday afternoon [[Jesus]] talked to [[the multitude]] about the " [[Grace]] of [[Salvation]]. " In the [[course]] of this [[sermon]] he retold the story of the lost sheep and the lost coin and then added his favorite [[parable]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prodigal_Son prodigal son]. Said [[Jesus]]:

169:1.1 On Thursday afternoon [[Jesus]] talked to [[the multitude]] about the " [[Grace]] of [[Salvation]]. " In the [[course]] of this [[sermon]] he retold the story of the lost sheep and the lost coin and then added his favorite [[parable]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prodigal_Son prodigal son]. Said [[Jesus]]:

169:1.2 " You have been [[admonished]] by the [[prophets]] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel Samuel] to [[John the Baptist|John]] that you should [[seek]] for [[God]]—search for [[truth]]. Always have they said, `Seek the Lord while he may be found.'[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Isaiah#Chapter_.55] And all such teaching should be taken to [[heart]]. But I have come to show you that, while you are seeking to find [[God]], God is likewise seeking to find you. Many times have I told you the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_165#165:2._SERMON_ON_THE_GOOD_SHEPHERD story of the good shepherd] who left the ninety and nine sheep in the fold while he went forth searching for the one that was lost, and how, when he had found the straying sheep, he laid it over his shoulder and tenderly carried it back to the fold. And when the lost sheep had been restored to the fold, you remember that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_shepherd good shepherd] called in his [[friends]] and bade them [[rejoice]] with him over the finding of the sheep that had been lost.[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_matthew#Chapter_18] Again I say there is more [[joy]] in [[heaven]] over one [[sinner]] who [[repents]] than over the ninety and nine [[Righteous|just]] [[persons]] who need no [[repentance]]. The [[fact]] that [[souls]] are lost only increases the interest of the [[Universal Father|heavenly Father]]. I have come to this world to do my Father's bidding, and it has truly been said of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] that he is a [[friend]] of publicans and [[sinners]].

169:1.2 " You have been [[admonished]] by the [[prophets]] from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel Samuel] to [[John the Baptist|John]] that you should [[seek]] for [[God]]—search for [[truth]]. Always have they said, `Seek the Lord while he may be found.'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Isaiah#Chapter_.55] And all such teaching should be taken to [[heart]]. But I have come to show you that, while you are seeking to find [[God]], God is likewise seeking to find you. Many times have I told you the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_165#165:2._SERMON_ON_THE_GOOD_SHEPHERD story of the good shepherd] who left the ninety and nine sheep in the fold while he went forth searching for the one that was lost, and how, when he had found the straying sheep, he laid it over his shoulder and tenderly carried it back to the fold. And when the lost sheep had been restored to the fold, you remember that the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_shepherd good shepherd] called in his [[friends]] and bade them [[rejoice]] with him over the finding of the sheep that had been lost.[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_matthew#Chapter_18] Again I say there is more [[joy]] in [[heaven]] over one [[sinner]] who [[repents]] than over the ninety and nine [[Righteous|just]] [[persons]] who need no [[repentance]]. The [[fact]] that [[souls]] are lost only increases the interest of the [[Universal Father|heavenly Father]]. I have come to this world to do my Father's bidding, and it has truly been said of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] that he is a [[friend]] of publicans and [[sinners]].

169:1.3 " You have been taught that [[divine]] [[acceptance]] comes after your [[repentance]] and as a result of all your works of [[sacrifice]] and [[penitence]], but I [[assure]] you that [[the Father]] [[accepts]] you even before you have [[repented]] and sends [[Divine Sons|the Son]] and his [[associates]] to find you and bring you, with [[rejoicing]], back to the fold, [[the kingdom]] of sonship and [[spiritual]] [[progress]]. You are all like sheep which have gone astray, and I have come to seek and to save those who are lost.

169:1.3 " You have been taught that [[divine]] [[acceptance]] comes after your [[repentance]] and as a result of all your works of [[sacrifice]] and [[penitence]], but I [[assure]] you that [[the Father]] [[accepts]] you even before you have [[repented]] and sends [[Divine Sons|the Son]] and his [[associates]] to find you and bring you, with [[rejoicing]], back to the fold, [[the kingdom]] of sonship and [[spiritual]] [[progress]]. You are all like sheep which have gone astray, and I have come to seek and to save those who are lost.

169:1.4 " And you should also [[remember]] the [[story]] of the [[woman]] who, having had ten pieces of silver made into a necklace of adornment, lost one piece, and how she lit the lamp and diligently swept the house and kept up the search until she found the lost piece of silver. And as soon as she found the coin that was lost, she called together her [[friends]] and [[neighbors]], saying, `[[Rejoice]] with me, for I have found the piece that was lost.'[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_15] So again I say, there is always [[joy]] in the [[presence]] of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_39 the angels of heaven] over one [[sinner]] who [[repents]] and returns to [[the Father]]'s fold. And I tell you this [[story]] to impress upon you that [[the Father]] and [[Eternal Son|his Son]] go forth to search for those who are lost, and in this search we employ all [[influences]] capable of rendering [[assistance]] in our [[diligent]] [[efforts]] to find those who are lost, those who stand in need of [[salvation]]. And so, while the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] goes out in the [[wilderness]] to seek for the sheep gone astray, he also searches for the coin which is lost in the house. The sheep wanders away, unintentionally; the coin is covered by the dust of [[time]] and obscured by the accumulation of the [[things]] of men.

169:1.4 " And you should also [[remember]] the [[story]] of the [[woman]] who, having had ten pieces of silver made into a necklace of adornment, lost one piece, and how she lit the lamp and diligently swept the house and kept up the search until she found the lost piece of silver. And as soon as she found the coin that was lost, she called together her [[friends]] and [[neighbors]], saying, `[[Rejoice]] with me, for I have found the piece that was lost.'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_15] So again I say, there is always [[joy]] in the [[presence]] of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_39 the angels of heaven] over one [[sinner]] who [[repents]] and returns to [[the Father]]'s fold. And I tell you this [[story]] to impress upon you that [[the Father]] and [[Eternal Son|his Son]] go forth to search for those who are lost, and in this search we employ all [[influences]] capable of rendering [[assistance]] in our [[diligent]] [[efforts]] to find those who are lost, those who stand in need of [[salvation]]. And so, while the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] goes out in the [[wilderness]] to seek for the sheep gone astray, he also searches for the coin which is lost in the house. The sheep wanders away, unintentionally; the coin is covered by the dust of [[time]] and obscured by the accumulation of the [[things]] of men.

169:1.5 " And now I would like to tell you the [[story]] of a thoughtless son of a well-to-do [[farmer]] who deliberately left his [[father]]'s house and went off into a foreign land, where he fell into much [[tribulation]]. You recall that the sheep strayed away without [[intention]], but this [[youth]] left his [[home]] with premeditation. It was like this:

169:1.5 " And now I would like to tell you the [[story]] of a thoughtless son of a well-to-do [[farmer]] who deliberately left his [[father]]'s house and went off into a foreign land, where he fell into much [[tribulation]]. You recall that the sheep strayed away without [[intention]], but this [[youth]] left his [[home]] with premeditation. It was like this:

169:1.6 " A certain man had two sons; one, the younger, was lighthearted and carefree, always seeking for a [[good]] time and shirking [[responsibility]], while his older [[brother]] was serious, [[sober]], hard-working, and willing to bear [[responsibility]]. Now these two brothers did not get along well together; they were always quarreling and bickering. The younger lad was [[cheerful]] and vivacious, but [[indolent]] and unreliable; the older son was steady and industrious, at the same time [[self]]-[[centered]], surly, and [[conceited]]. The younger son enjoyed [[play]] but shunned [[work]]; the older [[devoted]] himself to work but seldom played. This [[association]] became so disagreeable that the younger son came to his [[father]] and said: `Father, give me the third portion of your [[possessions]] which would fall to me and allow me to go out into the world to seek my own fortune.' And when the [[father]] heard this request, knowing how unhappy the [[young man]] was at [[home]] and with his older [[brother]], he divided his [[property]], giving the [[youth]] his share.

169:1.6 " A certain man had two sons; one, the younger, was lighthearted and carefree, always seeking for a [[good]] time and shirking [[responsibility]], while his older [[brother]] was serious, [[sober]], hard-working, and willing to bear [[responsibility]]. Now these two brothers did not get along well together; they were always quarreling and bickering. The younger lad was [[cheerful]] and vivacious, but [[indolent]] and unreliable; the older son was steady and industrious, at the same time [[self]]-[[centered]], surly, and [[conceited]]. The younger son enjoyed [[play]] but shunned [[work]]; the older [[devoted]] himself to work but seldom played. This [[association]] became so disagreeable that the younger son came to his [[father]] and said: `Father, give me the third portion of your [[possessions]] which would fall to me and allow me to go out into the world to seek my own fortune.' And when the [[father]] heard this request, knowing how unhappy the [[young man]] was at [[home]] and with his older [[brother]], he divided his [[property]], giving the [[youth]] his share.

169:1.7 " Within a few weeks the young man gathered [[together]] all his [[funds]] and set out upon a [[journey]] to a far country, and finding nothing profitable to do which was also [[pleasurable]], he soon [[wast]]ed all his [[inheritance]] in riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a prolonged [[famine]] in that country, and he found himself in want. And so, when he suffered [[hunger]] and his distress was great, he found employment with one of the [[citizens]] of that country, who sent him into the fields to feed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigs swine]. And the young man would fain have filled himself with the husks which the swine ate, but no one would give him anything.

169:1.7 " Within a few weeks the young man gathered [[together]] all his [[funds]] and set out upon a [[journey]] to a far country, and finding nothing profitable to do which was also [[pleasurable]], he soon [[wast]]ed all his [[inheritance]] in riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a prolonged [[famine]] in that country, and he found himself in want. And so, when he suffered [[hunger]] and his distress was great, he found employment with one of the [[citizens]] of that country, who sent him into the fields to feed [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigs swine]. And the young man would fain have filled himself with the husks which the swine ate, but no one would give him anything.

169:1.8 " One day, when he was very [[hungry]], he came to himself and said: `How many hired servants of my [[father]] have bread enough and to spare while I perish with [[hunger]], feeding swine off here in a foreign country! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him: [[Father]], I have [[sinned]] against [[heaven]] and against you. I am no more [[worthy]] to be called your son; only be willing to make me one of your hired servants.' And when the [[young man]] had reached this [[decision]], he arose and started out for his [[father]]'s [[Home|house]].

169:1.8 " One day, when he was very [[hungry]], he came to himself and said: `How many hired servants of my [[father]] have bread enough and to spare while I perish with [[hunger]], feeding swine off here in a foreign country! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him: [[Father]], I have [[sinned]] against [[heaven]] and against you. I am no more [[worthy]] to be called your son; only be willing to make me one of your hired servants.' And when the [[young man]] had reached this [[decision]], he arose and started out for his [[father]]'s [[Home|house]].

169:1.9 " Now this [[father]] had [[grieved]] much for his son; he had missed the [[cheerful]], though thoughtless, lad. This father [[loved]] this son and was always on the lookout for his return, so that on the day he approached his [[home]], even while he was yet afar off, the [[father]] saw him and, being moved with loving [[compassion]], ran out to meet him, and with [[affectionate]] greeting he [[embraced]] and kissed him. And after they had thus met, the son looked up into his father's tearful face and said: `[[Father]], I have [[sinned]] against [[heaven]] and in your [[sight]]; I am no more [[worthy]] to be called a son'—but the lad did not find [[opportunity]] to complete his [[confession]] because the overjoyed [[father]] said to the servants who had by this [[time]] come running up: `Bring quickly his best robe, the one I have saved, and put it on him and put the son's ring on his hand and fetch sandals for his feet.'

169:1.9 " Now this [[father]] had [[grieved]] much for his son; he had missed the [[cheerful]], though thoughtless, lad. This father [[loved]] this son and was always on the lookout for his return, so that on the day he approached his [[home]], even while he was yet afar off, the [[father]] saw him and, being moved with loving [[compassion]], ran out to meet him, and with [[affectionate]] greeting he [[embraced]] and kissed him. And after they had thus met, the son looked up into his father's tearful face and said: `[[Father]], I have [[sinned]] against [[heaven]] and in your [[sight]]; I am no more [[worthy]] to be called a son'—but the lad did not find [[opportunity]] to complete his [[confession]] because the overjoyed [[father]] said to the servants who had by this [[time]] come running up: `Bring quickly his best robe, the one I have saved, and put it on him and put the son's ring on his hand and fetch sandals for his feet.'

169:1.10 " And then, after the [[happy]] [[father]] had led the footsore and weary lad into the house, he called to his servants: `Bring on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatted_calf fatted calf] and kill it, and let us eat and make [[merry]], for this my son was [[dead]] and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they all gathered about the [[father]] to [[rejoice]] with him over the restoration of his son.

169:1.10 " And then, after the [[happy]] [[father]] had led the footsore and weary lad into the house, he called to his servants: `Bring on the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatted_calf fatted calf] and kill it, and let us eat and make [[merry]], for this my son was [[dead]] and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they all gathered about the [[father]] to [[rejoice]] with him over the restoration of his son.

169:1.11 " About this time, while they were [[celebrating]], the elder son came in from his day's [[work]] in the field, and as he drew near the house, he heard the [[music]] and the [[dancing]]. And when he came up to the back door, he called out one of the servants and [[inquired]] as to the [[meaning]] of all this festivity. And then said the servant: `Your long-lost [[brother]] has come [[home]], and your father has killed the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatted_calf fatted calf] to [[rejoice]] over his son's safe return. Come in that you also may greet your [[brother]] and receive him back into your [[father]]'s house.'

169:1.11 " About this time, while they were [[celebrating]], the elder son came in from his day's [[work]] in the field, and as he drew near the house, he heard the [[music]] and the [[dancing]]. And when he came up to the back door, he called out one of the servants and [[inquired]] as to the [[meaning]] of all this festivity. And then said the servant: `Your long-lost [[brother]] has come [[home]], and your father has killed the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatted_calf fatted calf] to [[rejoice]] over his son's safe return. Come in that you also may greet your [[brother]] and receive him back into your [[father]]'s house.'

169:1.12 " But when the older [[brother]] heard this, he was so hurt and [[angry]] he would not go into the house. When his [[father]] heard of his [[resentment]] of the [[welcome]] of his younger brother, he went out to entreat him. But the older son would not yield to his father's [[persuasion]]. He answered his father, saying: `Here these many years have I served you, never [[transgressing]] the least of your commands, and yet you never gave me even a kid that I might make merry with my [[friends]]. I have remained here to care for you all these years, and you never made [[rejoicing]] over my [[faithful]] service, but when this your son returns, having squandered your substance with [[harlots]], you make haste to kill the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatted_calf fatted calf] and make [[merry]] over him.'

169:1.12 " But when the older [[brother]] heard this, he was so hurt and [[angry]] he would not go into the house. When his [[father]] heard of his [[resentment]] of the [[welcome]] of his younger brother, he went out to entreat him. But the older son would not yield to his father's [[persuasion]]. He answered his father, saying: `Here these many years have I served you, never [[transgressing]] the least of your commands, and yet you never gave me even a kid that I might make merry with my [[friends]]. I have remained here to care for you all these years, and you never made [[rejoicing]] over my [[faithful]] service, but when this your son returns, having squandered your substance with [[harlots]], you make haste to kill the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatted_calf fatted calf] and make [[merry]] over him.'

169:1.13 " Since this [[father]] truly [[loved]] both of his sons, he tried to [[reason]] with this older one: `But, my son, you have all the while been with me, and all this which I have is yours. You could have had a kid at any time you had made [[friends]] to [[share]] your merriment. But it is only proper that you should now join with me in being glad and merry because of your brother's return. [[Think]] of it, my son, your brother was lost and is found; he has returned alive to us!' "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_15]

169:1.13 " Since this [[father]] truly [[loved]] both of his sons, he tried to [[reason]] with this older one: `But, my son, you have all the while been with me, and all this which I have is yours. You could have had a kid at any time you had made [[friends]] to [[share]] your merriment. But it is only proper that you should now join with me in being glad and merry because of your brother's return. [[Think]] of it, my son, your brother was lost and is found; he has returned alive to us!' "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_15]

169:1.14 This was one of the most [[touching]] and effective of all the [[parables]] which [[Jesus]] ever presented to impress upon his hearers [[the Father]]'s willingness to [[receive]] all who seek entrance into [[the kingdom]] of heaven.

169:1.14 This was one of the most [[touching]] and effective of all the [[parables]] which [[Jesus]] ever presented to impress upon his hearers [[the Father]]'s willingness to [[receive]] all who seek entrance into [[the kingdom]] of heaven.

169:1.15 [[Jesus]] was very partial to telling these [[three]] [[stories]] at the same time. He presented the story of the lost sheep to show that, when men unintentionally stray away from the path of life, [[the Father]] is mindful of such lost ones and goes out, with [[Divine Sons|his Sons]], the true shepherds of the flock, to seek the lost sheep. He then would recite the [[story]] of the coin lost in the house to [[illustrate]] how thorough is the [[divine]] searching for all who are [[confused]], confounded, or otherwise [[spiritually]] blinded by the [[material]] cares and accumulations of life. And then he would launch forth into the telling of this [[parable]] of the lost son, the [[reception]] of the returning prodigal, to show how complete is the restoration of the lost son into his [[Father]]'s house and [[heart]].

169:1.15 [[Jesus]] was very partial to telling these [[three]] [[stories]] at the same time. He presented the story of the lost sheep to show that, when men unintentionally stray away from the path of life, [[the Father]] is mindful of such lost ones and goes out, with [[Divine Sons|his Sons]], the true shepherds of the flock, to seek the lost sheep. He then would recite the [[story]] of the coin lost in the house to [[illustrate]] how thorough is the [[divine]] searching for all who are [[confused]], confounded, or otherwise [[spiritually]] blinded by the [[material]] cares and accumulations of life. And then he would launch forth into the telling of this [[parable]] of the lost son, the [[reception]] of the returning prodigal, to show how complete is the restoration of the lost son into his [[Father]]'s house and [[heart]].

169:1.16 Many, many times during his years of teaching, [[Jesus]] told and retold this [[story]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_prodigal_son prodigal son]. This [[parable]] and the story of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan good Samaritan] were his [[favorite]] means of teaching the [[love]] of [[the Father]] and the [[neighbor]]liness of man.

169:1.16 Many, many times during his years of teaching, [[Jesus]] told and retold this [[story]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_prodigal_son prodigal son]. This [[parable]] and the story of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan good Samaritan] were his [[favorite]] means of teaching the [[love]] of [[the Father]] and the [[neighbor]]liness of man.

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_169 Go to Paper 169]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_169 Go to Paper 169]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

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[[Category:Paper 169 - Last Teaching at Pella]]

[[Category:Paper 169 - Last Teaching at Pella]]

[[Category: Parables]]

[[Category: Parables]]