Wayward
Son (
from the book “HOPE BEYOND HELL” by Gerry Beauchemin, page 137 )
Our Father waits for HIS “lost ones” to realize their lost condition and need of reconciliation. When they do, HE is there with eyes full of compassion and joy
LUKE 15:20 … “But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him”
Here
was a grieving father, waiting, longing, and praying for his son’s return. Day
after day, he waits and he watches the distant fields. Finally the day came.
“Is that him on the horizon? Could it possibly be? YES! YES! It is him!”
His
heart swells with compassion and joy. “My son is coming home!” He jumps to his
feet. He does not merely walk, but he runs, yes, runs. He cannot wait to reach
him. The party has already begun in heaven ( LUKE 15:7 ). Moreover when
he gets to him, he falls on his neck, embraces him, and kisses him. Then he
orders, “let’s party!” What a picture of our heavenly Father!
The
CHRIST I know and love is not a hired hand who does not care about the sheep,
leaves the sheep, and flees when He sees the wolf coming ( JOHN 10:12-13
). NO, a thousand times NO. He does not turn and run, but gives HIS life to
destroy the wolf ( HEBREWS 2:14 ). He destroys the works of the wolf ( 1
JOHN 3:8 ) ,”not” the sheep for whom HE came to rescue” ( LUKE 9:56
)
It is not by chance the LORD gave us this story in the
context of the lost sheep and coin. HE is revealing to us the heart of our
heavenly Father. The “lost son” represents every lost person. It
shows us how our Father waits for HIS lost ones to realize their lost condition
and need of reconciliation. When they do, HE flees to their side with comfort
and blessing, with eyes full of compassion. Meanwhile, HE waits and works life’s
circumstances, be it in this age or in future ages, so His lost
ones will come to themselves. A thousand years are as one day to HIM ( 2
PETER 3:8 ). He does not give up. He is the Good Shepherd who goes after HIS
sheep until He finds them.
Gerry
asks this penetrating question … “Are you at peace regarding the eternal
destiny of your children, parents, brothers, sisters, grandfather, grandmother,
aunts, uncles, cousins and friends? Are you experiencing abundant joy in your
“personal” salvation while unsure if some of your loved ones might suffer
throughout all eternity?
How is that possible? You see, Christians have a problem, a
very serious problem. The problem is in our belief that hell is “eternal” and
that most of humanity will be there. Deep inside we know that something is not
right, but we suppress our questions and doubts because we “think” the BIBLE
teaches it. What inner conflict rages within! It is futile to find satisfying
answers to the problems it raises.
Information
on obtaining the book “HOPE BEYOND HELL”