{"id":2290,"date":"2021-04-28T18:30:43","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T01:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/?p=2290"},"modified":"2021-04-24T21:44:56","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T04:44:56","slug":"abiding-in-the-lord-luke-ch-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/blog\/abiding-in-the-lord-luke-ch-15\/","title":{"rendered":"Abiding in the Lord: Luke Ch. 15"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

(Translated version, original article written in Chinese by Pastor Mickey Hsiao)<\/em><\/p>\n

Worship<\/strong><\/h3>\n

By singing praises and hymns, awake your soul, open your heart to the Lord, and prepare yourself to welcome the presence of God and receive the Word of God that will be given to you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thanksgiving<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Petition with thanksgiving to God for a wonderful day and pray sincerely for a focused Scripture reading time! (Do not rush into reading the Bible without starting with prayers!<\/strong>) (e.g., you may start with a simple prayer like this: “Dear Lord, what will you be speaking to me today?)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Scripture Reading<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Get the following items ready in advance: your devotional notebook, paper, pen, and\/or electronic devotional articles so that you can easily write down the Bible verses, questions, and thoughts you have noticed! You are encouraged to open your Bible and vocally read out the scriptures (Try to practice this reading method daily or once a week)!<\/p>\n

Scripture Reading: Luke Ch. 15 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Meditation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Take a moment to quietly reflect on today’s Scriptures. Through such exercises, let God’s Word be gradually written into our hearts and be inscribed to our mind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Devotional<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Read the devotional articles prepared by CBCLWA (*Read the Bible first before reading any devotional materials.<\/strong>)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(vv. 1-10)\u00a0<\/span>In\u00a0<\/span>Luke\u00a0<\/span>15, there are three well-known\u00a0<\/span>parables,\u00a0<\/span>especially t<\/span>he P<\/span>arable of the\u00a0<\/span>Prodigal S<\/span>on (actually, the three\u00a0<\/span>parables\u00a0<\/span>can be regarded as one\u00a0<\/span>parable\u00a0<\/span>and the third verse<\/span>\u00a0of Luke 15<\/span>\u00a0is expressed in the singular<\/span>\u00a0form<\/span>:\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>this parable<\/span>\u201d<\/span>).\u00a0<\/span>But, before we review this\u00a0<\/span>parable<\/span>, l<\/span>et us<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>examine\u00a0<\/span>verses\u00a0<\/span>1-10<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The scripture tells us the main reason<\/span>\u00a0Jesus talked\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>par<\/span>ables is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>because\u00a0<\/span>once,\u00a0<\/span>someone grumbled<\/span>\u00a0about Jesus privately\u00a0<\/span>when Jesus was\u00a0<\/span>preaching:\u00a0<\/span>“This man receives sinners and eats with them.”<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Of course, it was<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>Pharisees and scribes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Parable of\u00a0<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0L<\/span>ost<\/span>\u00a0S<\/span>heep, let us\u00a0<\/span>understand the significance of searching<\/span>\u00a0for the lost sheep<\/span>\u00a0in the countryside<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>until we find it<\/span>, leaving the ninety-nine<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>sheep\u00a0<\/span>behind<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>The purpose is to let people<\/span>\u00a0know that as long as there is one<\/span>\u00a0sinner who repents,<\/span>\u00a0there will be\u00a0<\/span>rejoicing<\/span>\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span>heaven!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Parable of<\/span>\u00a0the Lost Coin<\/span>, the woman exhausted her mind \u2013 lighting up a<\/span>\u00a0lamp and\u00a0<\/span>sweeping her entire place\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 trying her best to find this one lost<\/span>\u00a0silver coin<\/span>. The purpose is the same: to let people know that as long as one sinner repents, there will be rejoicing in the presence of God\u2019s angels!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is all in response to the previous discussion made by the Pharisees<\/span>\u00a0and scribes<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>It can be seen that tax collectors and sinners are\u00a0<\/span>e<\/span>qually precious in God’s eyes.\u00a0<\/span>If they\u00a0<\/span>repent,\u00a0<\/span>God will rejoice.\u00a0<\/span>In the parables, w<\/span>hen\u00a0<\/span>compared to t<\/span>hose “righteous people who do not<\/span>\u00a0nee<\/span>d to repent<\/span>,\u201d and\u00a0<\/span>(<\/span>who are self-righteou<\/span>s and talk about Jesus<\/span>\u00a0in private<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>they<\/span>\u00a0are even more precious!<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(<\/span>vv.\u00a0<\/span>11-3<\/span>2<\/span>) In the last parable<\/span>, the P<\/span>arable<\/span>\u00a0of the Prodigal S<\/span>on, the father\u00a0<\/span>divided and\u00a0<\/span>allowed the younger\u00a0<\/span>son\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>take away the inheritance he wanted while<\/span>\u00a0the father<\/span>\u00a0was still alive.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>It was not until\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>younger\u00a0<\/span>son\u00a0<\/span>wasted\u00a0<\/span>all<\/span>\u00a0of his possessions that\u00a0<\/span>he finally woke up.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>At this time, let us take<\/span>\u00a0a look at a few actions of the<\/span>\u00a0father:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • His “eyes” moved: the younger<\/span>\u00a0son d<\/span>ecided to go home, and he saw him<\/span>\u00a0when he was still\u00a0<\/span>far\u00a0<\/span>away;\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • His “heart” moved: moved with compassion;\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • His “feet” moved: he ran to the younger son;\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • His “h<\/span>and” moved: holding the younger<\/span>\u00a0son’s neck;\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • His “mouth” moved: kissed\u00a0<\/span>his younger son again and again.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    After that, the father ordered the servants to\u00a0<\/span>do the following:\u00a0<\/span>take out the best robes<\/span>, a ring, and shoes,\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>place them on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the younge<\/span>r son<\/span>; also, slaughter a\u00a0<\/span>fat<\/span>tened<\/span>\u00a0calf\u00a0<\/span>with food and drink\u00a0<\/span>to welcome his younger\u00a0<\/span>son\u2019s return.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    In the parable<\/span>, we see<\/span>\u00a0that this father was\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>moved<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in many ways, but<\/span>\u00a0he was not moved to anger<\/span>!\u00a0<\/span>On the contrary, the older<\/span>\u00a0son became angry and had to ask his father to pe<\/span>rsuade him<\/span>\u00a0not to\u00a0<\/span>fume\u00a0<\/span>furiously<\/span>. In fact, when it came to dividing the father\u2019s estate, the older son\u00a0<\/span>already received what he deserved<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(in verse 12 it is said:\u00a0<\/span>“<\/span><\/b>And he divided\u202fhis property between them<\/span><\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/b>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>so why was<\/span>\u00a0he angry?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>From his words, we may\u00a0<\/span>understand\u00a0<\/span>the reason for his anger. He said:\u00a0<\/span>“<\/span><\/b>Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might\u202fcelebrate with my friends.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>But when this son of yours came,\u202fwho has devoured\u202fyour property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!\u201d<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The older<\/span>\u00a0son never left the house and lived<\/span>\u00a0with his father, but he could not<\/span>\u00a0consider his father\u2019s will.\u00a0<\/span>His father<\/span>\u00a0rejoiced for the younger brother who was\u00a0<\/span>“dead,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>and is alive again; he was\u00a0<\/span><\/b>lost<\/span><\/b>, and is found<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/b>“<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>On the contrary, the older<\/span>\u00a0son was angry and\u00a0<\/span>his attitude\u00a0<\/span>reflected<\/span>\u00a0the heart of the Pharisees and scribes at the beginning<\/span>\u00a0of this chapter<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    These three parables help us\u00a0<\/span>more\u00a0<\/span>deeply understand how God sees a\u00a0<\/span>sinner’s willingness to repent.\u00a0<\/span>King\u00a0<\/span>David once said<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201dThe<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>sacrifices of God are\u202fa broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.\u201d<\/span><\/b>\u00a0(Psalm 51:17)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    In addition,\u00a0<\/span>we should consider our Lord\u2019s will, care for the lost, help them hear the gospel, and return to the heavenly father through his son, Jesus.\u00a0<\/span>In the P<\/span>arable of t<\/span>he Prodigal S<\/span>on, the “awakening” of the younger son represents a very i<\/span>mportant key to<\/span>\u00a0our spiritual lives<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Perhaps<\/span>\u00a0our future seem<\/span>s gloomy and bleak, and our lives<\/span>\u00a0fee<\/span>l\u00a0<\/span>as if we are reaching the end.\u00a0<\/span>What we should learn is to “wake up<\/span>,”<\/span>\u00a0think about God’s will in our lives, return to God, and rebuild an intimate relationship with Him!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Pray<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Give thanks to God for His enabling us to read the Scriptures and for our response for living out the Word of God today! (e.g., You may start with a simple prayer like this: \u201cDear Lord, what\/where are you going to lead me to today?”)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":2111,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,71],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abiding-in-the-lord","category-pastor-mickey-hsiao"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2290"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2290\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2293,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2290\/revisions\/2293"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}