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

Clean vs Unclean!

For Sunday, March 9, 2025:

Leviticus 11:1, 2b NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Of all the land animals, these are the ones you may use for food.”

In this chapter, God defines the land animals, birds and fish suitable for food. God must have known this was coming when he designed the animals. Any animal with completely split hooves and chews the cud is good for food. Jews call this “kosher.’ Other animals were considered unclean. Birds are OK, but not those who clean up dead carcasses, like vultures. Fish are good, but not the bottom-feeders that keep the water clean. Vultures and bottom-feeders eat garbage, so they are garbage!

Back then, no one had refrigerators to keep food fresh or stoves to fully cook the meat. There were no professional meat inspectors. So God instituted these rules to protect his people, to keep them safe and alive. Once again God was watching out for his people, protecting them, even when they didn’t yet understand the need.

In the New Covenant, Jesus declares us clean or unclean not by what goes into our bodies, but by what comes out of our mouths!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship