Prodigal Son - 2

For Tuesday, July 15, 2025:

Luke 15:13 NLT: “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.”

Today we’re continuing with Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, the one who demanded his share of the inheritance while dear old dad was still alive. Moving to the big city, he quickly squandered all his money on wine, women and song. And in a perfect Murphy’s Law scenario, when his money ran out, the region’s food also ran out. Our prodigal was forced to accept employment from a farmer who raised pigs! To Jewish people, pigs were unclean, non-kosher animals. And here he was tending to their needs like a slave. Pigs were fed pods after the desirable beans had been removed, and our prodigal was so hungry that he would sneak some for himself. Wow – taking a meal with pigs! He had hit his bottom.

The younger son thought about his situation and applied some logic. “Back home, even the hired hands have enough to eat, and here I am starving.” There was only one solution. “I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” And he did just that.

The surprise comes from the father, who was watching and waiting for the wayward son to return. The father ran out and met his son on the road. The kid confessed his inappropriate actions as he said he would, but the father’s response was quite unexpected. “Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” So the lost son was fully forgiven and restored, and the celebration began. The lost son could be any of us. His father is our Father in heaven!

In relating this story, Jesus taught the value of repent and return. When our lives get off track, repent and return is the only solution. He also let us know that our Father has a boatload of forgiveness, more than you might expect. God is good, even when we’re not!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

All Saints' Day!

For Friday, November 1, 2024:

Revelation 7:10 NLT: “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

Yesterday was Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve, so today is All Hallows’ Day. In the US, we call it All Saints’ Day. Many churches celebrate this on the following Sunday. Our Mexican neighbors celebrate Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos,) similar to All Saints’ Day.

Christianity was not always a popular and well-established religion. So this feast-day was originally to honor martyrs, those who had given their lives for their faith. Nowadays we honor believers who have returned to the Lord, and that’s a good thing to celebrate!

When our founding fathers came to the US, they were seeking religious freedom, freedom to follow the beliefs of their chosen denomination, which may have been different from their neighbor’s beliefs. Most came from Europe and Great Britain, where governments had mandated a certain religion. Personally, I believe that government and religion should remain separate. We should have the freedom to worship as we choose, or for that matter, the freedom to not worship at all. Now I believe not worshiping is a bad choice, but to be redeemed, one must intentionally choose to follow Jesus. It’s a conscious decision we all need to make.

Note that this day is not about sadness for having lost loved ones. It’s a feast celebrating those who now live in the presence of God Almighty. May we all join them!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 For Friday, March 17, 2023:

Matthew 28:19 NLT: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! It’s a feast day on the Christian calendar of many denominations, added in the 17^th century, although Patrick lived around 400AD. Much of what we know about him is based on legend, not fact. For example, he is said to have driven the snakes out of Ireland, but there never were many snakes in Ireland! His father was a deacon and his grandfather a priest, so it follows that Patrick would eventually become a bishop in Ireland.

At 16, Patrick was kidnapped and worked as a shepherd for six years in Gaelic Ireland, where he bonded with the Lord. He escaped, became a priest, and then remarkably, returned to Ireland to share the Good News. He’s use the shamrock – a young 3-leafed clover – to teach about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The ‘Declaration,’ allegedly written by Patrick himself, says he spent many years evangelizing in the northern half of Ireland and converted thousands.

And that’s what we’re all to do: Share the Good News, thereby making disciples of all nations. St. Patrick evangelizing Northern Ireland is a good reason to remember St. Patrick’s Day! Erin go bragh!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship