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==169:1. PARABLE OF THE LOST SON==

==169:1. PARABLE OF THE LOST SON==

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 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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prodigal_Son prodigal son]. Said [[Jesus]]:

169:1.2 " You have been admonished by the prophets from Samuel to John that you should seek for God—search for truth. Always have they said, `Seek the Lord while he may be found.' 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 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 good shepherd called in his friends and bade them rejoice with him over the finding of the sheep that had been lost. Again I say there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. The fact that souls are lost only increases the interest of the heavenly Father. I have come to this world to do my Father's bidding, and it has truly been said of the Son of Man that he is a friend of publicans and sinners.

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]].

169:1.3 " 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 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.' So again I say, there is always joy in the presence of 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 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 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.'[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.

169:1.5 " 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 wasted 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 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 [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.

169:1.8 " 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 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 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 [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.

169:1.11 " 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 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 [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.'

169:1.12 " 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 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 [http://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!' "

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]

169:1.14 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 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 prodigal son. This parable and the story of the good Samaritan were his favorite means of teaching the love of the Father and the neighborliness of man.

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.

==169:2. PARABLE OF THE SHREWD STEWARD==

==169:2. PARABLE OF THE SHREWD STEWARD==