In Luke 15, we find an amazing 3 part parable told by the most creative storyteller of all...Jesus of Nazareth.
It's the story of the lost sheep, the lost coin & the lost son. In each one the finding brings on an exquisite celebration & blessing. The three main characters in the stories- represent- The Son, The Holy Spirit & The Father.
Focusing upon the story of the prodigal son...we see that when he returns in humility...All is restored and there is a great celebration.
Repentance is not some process of self deprecation or kneeling on corn to punish the flesh! It is simply the process of the prodigal who looks up, gets up & begins to walk home. It's simply a return.
Why are the exquisite gifts given to this errant son? Does this seem strange to you...as well as to the son who stayed with His Father?
The 3 gifts represent the consequences which the prodigal has already received & fully experienced during his estrangement.
When he left home in his arrogance; he lost his identity, his inheritance and his relationship with His Father.
On his return the Father commands the fatted calf to be killed, representing the blood of Jesus' sacrifice, which covers All.
There is preparation for a great celebration- this represents the satisfying bread of Father God's presence.
The Father calls for his servants to
- QUICK-
bring the best robe, a ring for his finger & new sandals for his feet! Restoring his lost inheritance, his relationship and his purpose (identity).
This is exquisite giving & exquisite forgiveness! The prodigal has already received his consequences. The consequences caused him to look up from waiting upon the pigs.
The older son refuses to enter the celebration & the father reminds him that the celebration was always his for the asking.
My friends, can I tell you this religious taint of the older brother is on so much of our preaching & teaching today.
It is also on so much of the "end times" interpretation & so called "teaching". The older brother was so busy "working" for His Father that he never enjoyed his blessing!
What if the older brother had met the prodigal on the driveway entrance to the home... rather than the loving heavenly Father?
Yes, our nation has much to regret and much to repent of...but can I tell you there are vast numbers of people who have been turned away from the celebration...
by this older brother mentality. It is a doctrine of works, it is a doctrine of pharisees, it is a doctrine of demons.
The Father was both perfectly just and perfectly loving. Both sons were required to learn the value of all 3 gifts but in a different manner. One by staying & one by going. The Father was wise.
You cannot replicate or stamp your relationship with the Lord into another through strong teaching or rebuke. You have no right to call for judgment because you were also saved by pure grace alone.
For All have sinned & fallen short of the glory. The glory & celebration of our Heavenly Father. The pure joy of His presence.
This wise Father gave the son his inheritance to squander because he knew he must DISCOVER, for himself, the value of all 3 gifts.
The homebound son did not know the value of the 3 gifts any more than the prodigal. Can you hear me?
I keep hearing "church" people and "prayer" people calling for judgment on our land. I understand the reaction because of the sheer clear view of the defilement we observe.
The violence & cry of innocent blood alone is staggering...
to those who have experienced grace....
but Christ blood 💔 and broken heart absorbed every transgression for the purpose of GRACE & CELEBRATION & RESTORATION.
Your pronouncements of judgment are not in line with the will and loving desire of the heavenly Father. Our prayers need to line up with His heart. Can you hear me?
Are there those who are coming into times of fiery judgment? Yes. Those who have refused to look up from feeding the pigs.
Careful though... consider if you are coming in agreement with the enemies agenda...
with your calls for judgment! Enough said on that.. we will leave that to The Father.
But, my friend, you do not see into the heart of the masses as The Father does. If you did, you would see their cry for restoration. You would see their cry for identity & purpose, for loving relationship, for inheritance.
The robe, the ring, the sandals. The fatted calf & celebration.
Have they seen this in the church? The prodigal drew near & saw the Radiant countenance of His Father running...
RUNNING...to meet Him.
Noone can provide these gifts but the Father. Your teaching can only lead the prodigal in a straight line. If it's not leading to The Father's Celebration then you are blocking the driveway home. Can you hear me?
And if you heard His Fatherly heartbeat, you would know it is for MERCY, RESTORATION & CELEBRATION.
Scripture says, the Father saw the son returning...A long way off!
Let's pray this way...
HIS KINGDOM COME, HIS WILL BE DONE.
Church, are you preparing the Best Robes, the Rings & The New Sandles? Those are found in The Father's presence alone.
You can only develop these in the atmosphere of celebration, in His presence.
This is how you will receive the lost ones & keep them at home;
Its time to prepare for a New Kingdom Glory Era.
