Children,
We live in a world where we claim to have our stuff together and know our course... Just kidding! When it comes to our lives, we may feel like the owner herding wet cats.
The Savior came to a dinner and gave three parables talking about that very thing. The first was about sheep. We have always wondered why the shepherd went alone for his one sheep. Why did he not use a hireling or under-shepherd? Simple! The sheep know the Master's voice. It is also noted he carried the sheep on his shoulders. Has the Savior carried us when our faith was broken to spiritual, physical or emotional pain? Though the shepherd in the story rejoiced it is not to say that the sheep he carried was in perfect health but that he was glad to have them back. (Now this is Brother Bingham 101, if the sheep was hurt, the shepherd would of ended the wounded and show additional joy in their recovery, but that's just me.)
The second story was about value. How many of us when we have sinned felt like we lost value and when we repented were so grateful that we celebrated our new restored wealth. The woman perhaps was getting married and was showing her dowry, the means whereby she could present her future husband her value. We are a church that is constantly trying to show our value to the Savior and to sin tarnishes our value. When this happen we, because of our desire for virtue, will, clean up our lives, like the woman her home, to restore value for our groom, who wishes to see our full value.
Finally the story of the two sons. One son in his innocence and arrogance asks for the wealth of his father and when he leaves blows all the money. It takes some time but he comes to his senses and returns home. He hopes to be a servant to his father. He even planned a speech but when you read the parable, his father interrupted him, ran to him and kissed him. All this time he may or may have not known what was going on with his boy but when he returned was so overwhelmed with joy, he clothes and fed his son with a celebration. The second son was wrath and would not come in to the party.
At times we are the lost son but lets talk about the faithful son. At times we are he who has given all and watched as someone comes into the church who served no mission, smoked, drank and hung out with the riffraff only to truly repent and receive the Father's Kingdom.
Let us tell you it takes a lot to come back to a forgiving father. It takes a lot to think that you can work off what you spoiled. At times we may feel like the son that did everything the Father asks of us and if you are, good! You did the good thing and will also receive the Father's Kingdom but please do not discount the repentant son who in humility begged to be back in his father's good graces. We receive grace because we plead for it. We are forgiven because we plead for it. We can never repay what we have wasted but we can join our Father and His obedient Son in building and furthering the wealth that is the Spirit and Gospel of Christ in the lives of others. If you are the faithful son, thank you for your faithfulness and tinacity. If you are the son or daughter that has wondered and has wept fearing no forgiveness is possible, come home.
The Saduses and Phrases thought they were the obedient sheep, the nine silver not lost and good son. They considered the lost less valuable. They had forgotten that Israel was admonished to gather all the world to the Savior. They were told that Abraham's seed would be all over the Earth but they did not look for them among the sinners and wonderers. Now we have been commanded to do a he same in the latter day. Our lives will see and hear stories of lost children who seek Christ like a bleeding sheep wounded, caught or just afraid. Let's hope that we help the Shepherd to hear His voice so that we can be part of the good things of this world.
This we testify in the Savior's name even our Master, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Challenges
1)Read Luke 12-17; John 11
2) What can we do to make ourselves worthy and profitable servants of the Lord? How do we feel when we repent? How do we feel when we serve our fellow brothers and sisters? The spirit will testify of the path.
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