THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

October 29, 2025

LIFE IN THE FOLD

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son. I have always heard sermons and references to this passage in regard to God, our Father, and those who have strayed from their faith, coming back "home" in repentance. I believe that is a wonderful interpretation of this passage of scripture.

Recently, I heard another perspective of this parable. As with many scriptures, I truly believe that God uses His Word to speak to different situations and we can learn many different perspectives and lessons from each story or even from a single verse.

This viewpoint or interpretation of the story of the prodigal son is very literal, and that of an earthly father or parent.

I am going to tell this story, in my own words.

There's a dad who had two sons. One of them was the obedient child, who helped his father and worked in the fields and was overall content, being at home and doing what he did every day. The other son was content, until he reached an age where he thought he was grown up and mature and had finally become an adult. He thought he no longer should have responsibilities and should be able to come and go as he liked and pretty much do whatever he wanted; which was his version of what being an "adult" meant. His dad knew that his son had some maturing to do and a lot to learn! But the son became rebellious, thinking he knew much more than his father. He no longer thought his father's rules should apply to him, and felt he should be able to do whatever he pleased.

So, he asked daddy for his share of his inheritance; not willing to wait until his father's death to get his share of the estate. His dad knew that his son was going to leave regardless, so went ahead and gave the boy his share of the wealth. He may have thought that his son would use a little wisdom and not squander it all away. Perhaps he thought he was helping his son by giving him finances to help him on his journey.

A few days later, this younger son packed all his belongings and left. He traveled to a distant land, and wasted all his money in wild living. When he left home, it likely seemed that he had enough money to last a good long while, and he had no idea the cost of living or how expensive it would be living on his own. He, also, made sinful choices and was living the wild party life.

A severe famine came and the son ended up with absolutely nothing. He finally persuaded a farmer to hire him, and his position was to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the food he was giving to the pigs began to look desirable. But no one came to his aid or offered to help him. All those "friends" who had been right beside him when he had a pocketful of money had all moved on and deserted him. They had only been using him for what they could get from him.

Finally, the young man reached the point of desperation and returned to his senses. He said to himself, "At home even the hired servants have food and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."

So he returned home. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son told him that he had sinned and was no longer worthy to be called his son.

What was the father's response? He threw a big party for his son, who had returned home!

There are many parents who have gone through or are currently going through similar situations with their children. They may have children who are obedient and do what they are supposed to and are content being at home with their family. But then they have that child who decides that they know better than the parent and chooses a life of rebellion and sin. No matter how hard the parent tries or how much love they lavish upon this child, the opportunities given to them, perhaps even counseling or therapy, having heart to heart conversations, praying unceasingly..... that son or daughter decides that they want to go a different direction. It breaks the hearts of the dad and mom.

The child may be a teenager or they may be an adult; but they choose to break ties with their parents, only wanting contact with them when they need something. It's easy for the parent to try and chase after their wayward son or daughter, doing whatever they can to help and begging their child to come home. They wear themselves out, in their attempt to show love to that child and persuade them to make better choices. As difficult as it is to cut ties, sometimes the parent has to realize that by continuously giving money or help to their wayward son or daughter, what they are really doing is enabling them to stay in their sin.

I had a conversation with someone who is going through this situation. Another person, who has been going through similar with their grown up child, had been studying this parable.

In the parable, the father didn't go chasing after his son, begging him to please stay home and trying to convince him to not leave. They may have had that conversation, many times; but he finally concluded that he had to let his boy go. The son had to come to the conclusion, on his own, that he wanted a relationship with his father and wanted to be home. It wasn't something that could be forced. And the son had to come to a place of desperation and hopelessness before that happened. The father's heart must have been broken as he watched his son walk away, not knowing whether or not he'd ever see him again. But he held fast to faith that God would watch over his child and prayed continuously for the safety and salvation of his son.

In the weeks, perhaps months, maybe even a few years that the son was gone, the father never lost hope that one day his son would return. How do I know that? Because the father was watching down the road for a glimpse of his son coming back home to him. I can just picture him as he worked in the fields or ate his meals or sheered sheep or whatever it was that he did each day, praying in his heart for his son's repentance and return; while keeping an eye on the road.

As soon as the father saw his son, who was still a long distance off, he didn't make the son come to him, but he took off running towards his son. The son may have been dreading this initial meeting, wondering if he'd be welcome of if he'd get a long-winded speech from his dad, or if he'd be punished. But his dad ran to meet him! Then he threw his arms around his son and kissed him. The father's heart was filled with love and compassion. He was like, "Welcome home, son! Here's some new clothes and a ring and tonight I'm going to throw a big party for you!" He knew that his boy had returned home, because he was ready to be part of the family again.

I encourage you, if you are feeling despair due to a wayward son or daughter, read this story of the parable son and study it. Let it fill you with hope! Perhaps you have to let them go for a time and it may break your heart, because you know that they are making sinful choices that could bring about harsh consequences. If God tells you to help them, then by all means, obey. But if He is saying to stop, because your actions are enabling them to continue on their downward trek instead of helping, then obey and trust Him.

In the time that they are living the life of a prodigal, continue praying for them daily, continue loving them and having compassion, continue watching for their return, and live with hope. Trust God and put your faith fully in Him. And keep an eye on the road that leads home! When you see your prodigal son or daughter returning home, greet them with love and compassion and welcome them back into the family. Have a party!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

The parable of sowing seeds on various kinds of ground also applies. In short, sharing the story of Jesus with people is like throwing out seeds. Some people will receive the teaching like seeds that fall on rock, hard ground, or in weeds, and they completely dismiss Jesus, or seem to accept Jesus at first but get caught up with their old lives or return to sin right away. But some people will receive it like good rich soil, and accept Jesus into their lives as Savior and Lord.

We can't control how anyone will receive the truth of Jesus. All we can do is share it, and pray that they will eventually accept it and accept Jesus.

With a stranger, it can be hard to witness. But with a parent, sibling, or cousin, it is very difficult. I can't honestly even imagine how difficult it would be as a parent.

But I do know that there are times that sharing Jesus with someone is all one person can do. In time, someone else may share, then someone else. It may take one person after another to chip away at a heart that has become hard as stone. Like I described a few weeks ago, it may take years of lichen or freezing water to etch or chip away at a stone. And that may be what a heart of stone needs before accepting a seed and growing.

I also know that once someone hits rock bottom, the only way out is up. It may be painful or damaging, but it can also be the only way.

ON THE MENEWE:

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Preheat oven to 350.

Coat a 9x13 baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.

In a large bowl combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, brown sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir to combine and pour into your prepared pan.

Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix on top; followed by nuts and/or toffee bits. Pour the melted butter over the top.

Bake for 45-50 minutes until center is set and edges are lightly browned.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

When my nephew was turning 5, we were having a conversation about his birthday. He said he was a little bit scared. I asked why and he said, "Because I've never been 5 before!" He and his cousin, who is a year older than him, had been talking about her being 6 and him turning 5. They said now that they were getting older, they were going to have to give up some things -- one of them being silly shirts.

It's funny how things change! Now that he is 16 and she is 17, I've seen them wearing silly shirts again.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalms 34:18

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org