NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION SEEK DAILY (NBC) Tuesday, September 12 THE LOST SON

 

RBT: Daniel 6-8

Memory Verse: For this son of mine was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:24, NIV

Bible Text: Luke 15:11-24

14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich 

neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 

14:13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 

14:14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”  

14:15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 

14:16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 

14:17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 

14:18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 

14:19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 

14:20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 

14:21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 

14:22 “ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 

14:23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 

14:24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ” 

A sixteen year old boy left home for Lagos after his parents frowned at his wayward lifestyle. He joined a gang and became a tout. One day, during a fight, he was stabbed and rushed to the hospital. On the hospital bed, a group of Christians ministered to him, and he accepted Jesus Christ. He returned to his parents after nineteen years and there was great joy. 

The prodigal son became a wanderer, and lacked all rights of living. Later, he came to his senses and decided to return home. He was aware that he had disappointed the father and sought a place as a servant, and not as a son, in the father's estate. Just like one can tell the value of something by how far one will go to retrieve it when it is lost, we can see the value the father placed on his lost son. He was magnanimous and awaiting his return. When he was sighted afar off, preparation was made and there was celebration for the lost son came back alive.

God is a God who is motivated by passionate, wholehearted love, but He hates sin. However, His hatred for sin motivates Him to rescue us from it. How long have you been wandering in the wilderness of sin and riotous living?

Examine your life. Retrace your steps, God the Father is eagerly waiting for you. Do not keep Him waiting endlessly.

Insight: A child who increases in age without corresponding growth is a calamity to the parent.

Prayer: My Father and my LORD, help me not to misuse my opportunities in Jesus' name.