The Upper Room Daily Reflections of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 6 March 2016 "God, Our Dwelling Place"

The Upper Room Daily Reflections of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 6 March 2016 "Following Jesus"

Today’s Reflection:
TO COMMIT TO FOLLOWING JESUS is to commit myself to a lifelong journey of being led where Jesus wants me to go and not necessarily where I want to go. This situation often causes opposition within myself. Jesus may call me to do what I do not normally and easily do. Jesus may ask me to wait or remain silent when I wish to speak or move on. In each of these cases I experience opposition within to what Jesus calls me to do and to be.[Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job, A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God]
From page 262 of A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God by Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job. Copyright © 2003 by the authors. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Is Jesus calling you to do or say something that makes you uncomfortable?
Today’s Scripture:
“So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.
“Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'”[Luke 15:20-21, NRSV]
This Week: pray for caregivers.---------------------

The Upper Room Daily Reflections of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Saturday, 5 March 2016 "Rest"

Today’s Reflection:

MANY OF US know what it means to feel fatigued. Fatigue ambushes us when we work too hard, when we get up too early and go to bed too late, when we try to balance too many demands, or when relationships cause conflict and pain. It comes when we live beyond our physical, emotional, and spiritual means.
In the midst of our daily slog, Jesus wants to gift us with rest. …
Rest has many different ingredients. Besides stopping work and learning to relax, it also includes getting adequate sleep. When we do this, we find that we live more joyful, creative, and fruitful lives. When we don’t, fatigue takes over and brings failure in many areas of our tired lives.[Trevor Hudson, Pauses for Lent]
From page 38 of Pauses for Lent: 40 Words for 40 Days by Trevor Hudson. Copyright © 2015 by Trevor Hudson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books.http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Memorize Matthew 11:28 and repeat it often as you go about your daily work. Go to sleep at a reasonable time tonight and receive your night’s rest as a gift from God. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest..
Today’s Scripture:
And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”[Luke 15:2, NRSV]
This Week: pray for caregivers.
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Friday, 4 March 2016 "Listening for God’s Voice"

Today’s Reflection:

TO BECOME A SPIRITUAL ADVENTURER means learning to listen for the voice of God. This listening involves a certain level of risk and vulnerability that does not come easily. Here is the story of one woman who had many fears about really listening to God:
I remember a woman I met on a late-night flight to Indianapolis. She was a brilliant, successful Ph.D. who had consulted with corporations and had been a presidential speech writer. She possessed unique and powerful gifts. She had accomplished more in her three and a half decades than many persons do in a lifetime.
In our conversation she expressed her dread of self-confrontation. She described her fear of hearing a voice say, “All right, you have been given so much; now it is time for you to pay up.”
I wondered why she kept running away and asked, “Why don’t you listen to the Voice?”
Over the course of our hour-long conversation, she gave me three reasons: “I fear I would become a fanatic. … I also have a fear I would shatter into a thousand pieces if I listened to and obeyed the voice of God. …But, to tell the truth, I am afraid to listen for God because I want to control my life. I have plans for my life, and I don’t want God or anyone interfering with them.”[Exploring the Way]
From page 25 of Exploring the Way: An Introduction to the Spiritual Journey Participant’s Book. (The story of the woman is from Ben Campbell Johnson, Calming the Restless Spirit: A Journey Toward God (Upper Room Books, 1997), page 73. Exploring the Way Participant’s Book Copyright © 2005 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission.http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
What fears keep you from listening for God’s voice?
Today’s Scripture:
So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.[2 Corinthians 5:20, NRSV]
This Week: pray for caregivers.
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Thursday, 3 March 2016 "Fill Our Minds with Light"

Today’s Reflection:

GOD, PLEASE HELP us when we have lost our way and don’t know what to do. Be our strength when we are weak, our hope when we feel desperate, and our rock when our lives are falling apart. Fill our hearts and minds with your light that chases away the darkness. Amen.[devozine, Jan/Feb 2016]
From page 11 of devozine, January/February 2016. Copyright © 2015 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. GOD, PLEASE HELP us when we have lost our way and don’t know what to do. Be our strength when we are weak, our hope when we feel desperate, and our rock when our lives are falling apart. Fill our hearts and minds with your light that chases away the darkness. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.[2 Corinthians 5:16, NRSV]
This Week: pray for caregivers.

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The Upper Room Daily Reflections of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 2 March 2016 "Make Us Like the Wind"

Today’s Reflection:

MAKE US LIKE THE WIND – ever-moving and ever moving others. And with joy we will dance with the leaves. In submission we will linger in the shade, cooling the skin of those scorched by the sun’s heat. In awe we will pause and be still enough to hover over creation, admiring your world and waiting for your command. And when you move us, we will fly with more strength, reminding people that you are present even in times you may seem invisible. Breathe into our souls, Lord, and make us like the wind, like your Holy Spirit – in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.[Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua, Africana Worship Book: Year A]
Prayer by Ciona D. Rouse. From page 31 of The Africana Worship Book: Year A, edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua. Copyright © 2006 by Discipleship Resources. Used by permission.http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. MAKE US LIKE THE WIND – ever-moving and ever moving others. And with joy we will dance with the leaves. In submission we will linger in the shade, cooling the skin of those scorched by the sun’s heat. In awe we will pause and be still enough to hover over creation, admiring your world and waiting for your command. And when you move us, we will fly with more strength, reminding people that you are present even in times you may seem invisible. Breathe into our souls, Lord, and make us like the wind, like your Holy Spirit – in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.[Psalm 32:2, NRSV]
This Week: pray for caregivers

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The Upper Room Daily Reflections of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Tuesday, 1 March 2016 "Leave Room for God"

Today’s Reflection:

WHAT KIND OF LIFE does my heart want? I find no easy answers to that question, but I know the answer means giving up the fantasy of always moving forward and allowing instead for seasons of dormancy. And it is always time to listen. Perhaps the heart’s single greatest desire is to listen attentively to the voice of God speaking through scripture, nature, daily events, and the kind of reflection that leads to expanding self-knowledge. … My heart wants the kind of life that leaves room for God.[Elizabeth J. Canham; Heart Whispers]
From page 148 of Heart Whispers: Benedictine Wisdom for Today by Elizabeth J. Canham. Copyright © 1999 by Elizabeth J. Canham. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books.http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
What kind of life does your heart want?
Today’s Scripture:
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.[Psalm 32:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for caregivers.

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The Upper Room Daily Reflections of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Monday, 29 February 2016 "The Grace to Forgive"

Today’s Reflection:

WHEN PETER ASKED JESUS if he should forgive others as many as seven times, Jesus answered, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). Obviously he was not saying mark off each forgiveness up to seventy-seven and then stop forgiving. He was wiping out all calculated response both to ourselves and to others. He threw a legalism of checks and balances out the window. He invited us to a wider place, a freer air, where compassion and mercy are no longer a matter of arithmetic.
But until we let God release us, we cannot release ourselves or others. We remain in that condition of self-judgment, a judgment of others, that spiritual prison, anxiously counting up those pennies!
God longs to enter these prisons of ours, throw open the doors, bring us into what theologians call “grace” – the realm of free gifting – not to earn love but because we are already loved.[Flora Slosson Wuellner, Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey]
From page 117 of Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey: Nine Steps of Forgiving Through Jesus’ Beatitudes by Flora Slosson Wuellner. Copyright © 2001 by Flora Slosson Wuellner. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Bookshttp://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Give thanks for God’s grace.
Today’s Scripture:
On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.[Joshua 5:11-12, NRSV]
This Week: pray for caregivers.

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Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.
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Saints, Inc.:
This week we remember: Katherine Drexel (March 3).
Katherine Drexel was born in 1858 into a wealthy Philadelphia family. Katherine's parents were generous with their wealth and encouraged their daughters to care for less fortunate citizens. Even though she was a social debutante and inherited $14,000,000 when her father died, Katherine was attracted to the spiritual life and saw her wealth as a way to give back to God.
In a private audience with Pope Leo XIII Katherine, who felt a special concern for Native- and African Americans, encouraged him to provide priests on Native American reservations. Pope Leo challenged her to become a missionary herself. When she was unable to find a religious order that shared her passion, Katherine established the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People.
She donated more than a million dollars to Indian Missions and mission schools and endowed a seminary that focused on people of color. In 1915 Katherine founded Xavier University in New Orleans for African Americans. Her money funded 50 schools for African Americans, 12 schools for Native Americans, and 145 Catholic missions; she herself kept a vow of poverty.
Mother Katherine, as she was known, died on March 31, 1955 at the age of ninety-six.
If Katharine Drexel had taken the Spiritual Types Test she probably would have been a Prophet. Katharine Drexel is remembered on March 3.

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Lectionary Readings
Sunday, 6 March 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Joshua 5:9-12;
Psalm 32;
2 Corinthians 5:16-21'
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Scripture Texts: Joshua 5:9 Adonai said to Y’hoshua, “Today I have rolled off from you the stigma of Egypt.” This is why the place has been called Gilgal [rolling] ever since. 10 The people of Isra’el camped at Gilgal, and they observed Pesach on the fourteenth day of the month, there on the plains of Yericho. 11 The day after Pesach they ate what the land produced, matzah and roasted ears of grain that day. 12 The following day, after they had eaten food produced in the land, the man ended. From then on the people of Isra’el no longer had man; instead, that year, they ate the produce of the land of Kena‘an.
Psalm 32;

(0) By David. A maskil:

(1) How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven,

those whose sin is covered!

2 How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt,

in whose spirit is no deceit!

3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away

because of my groaning all day long;

4 day and night your hand was heavy on me;

the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah)

5 When I acknowledged my sin to you,

when I stopped concealing my guilt,

and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”;

then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah)

6 This is what everyone faithful should pray

at a time when you can be found.

Then, when the floodwaters are raging,

they will not reach to him.

7 You are a hiding-place for me,

you will keep me from distress;

you will surround me

with songs of deliverance. (Selah)

8 “I will instruct and teach you

in this way that you are to go;

I will give you counsel;

my eyes will be watching you.”

9 Don’t be like a horse or mule

that has no understanding,

that has to be curbed with bit and bridle,

or else it won’t come near you.

10 Many are the torments of the wicked,

but grace surrounds those who trust in Adonai.

11 Be glad in Adonai; rejoice, you righteous!

Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

2 Corinthians 5:16 So from now on, we do not look at anyone from a worldly viewpoint. Even if we once regarded the Messiah from a worldly viewpoint, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation — the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new! 18 And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation, 19 which is that God in the Messiah was reconciling mankind to himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors of the Messiah; in effect, God is making his appeal through us. What we do is appeal on behalf of the Messiah, “Be reconciled to God! 21 God made this sinless man be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in union with him we might fully share in God’s righteousness.”
Luke 15:1

The tax-collectors and sinners kept gathering around to hear Yeshua, 2 and the P’rushim and Torah-teachers kept grumbling. “This fellow,” they said, “welcomes sinners — he even eats with them!” 3 So he told them this parable:

11 Again Yeshua said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that will be mine.’ So the father divided the property between them. 13 As soon as he could convert his share into cash, the younger son left home and went off to a distant country, where he squandered his money in reckless living. 14 But after he had spent it all, a severe famine arose throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch.

15 “So he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him any.

17 “At last he came to his senses and said, ‘Any number of my father’s hired workers have food to spare; and here I am, starving to death! 18 I’m going to get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers.” ’ 20 So he got up and started back to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him warmly. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son — ’ 22 but his father said to his slaves, ‘Quick, bring out a robe, the best one, and put it on him; and put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the calf that has been fattened up, and kill it. Let’s eat and have a celebration! 24 For this son of mine was dead, but now he’s alive again! He was lost, but now he has been found!’ And they began celebrating.

25 “Now his older son was in the field. As he came close to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked, ‘What’s going on?’ 27 The servant told him, ‘Your brother has come back, and your father has slaughtered the calf that was fattened up, because he has gotten him back safe and sound.’ 28 But the older son became angry and refused to go inside.

“So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 ‘Look,’ the son answered, ‘I have worked for you all these years, and I have never disobeyed your orders. But you have never even given me a young goat, so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30 Yet this son of yours comes, who squandered your property with prostitutes, and for him you slaughter the fattened calf!’ 31 ‘Son, you are always with me,’ said the father, ‘and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead but has come back to life — he was lost but has been found.’”

John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Joshua 5:9-12

Verse 9

[9] And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.

The reproach of Egypt — That is, uncircumcision, was both in truth, and in the opinion of the Jews, a matter of great reproach, and although this was a reproach common to most nations of the world, yet it is particularly called the reproach of Egypt, either, 1. because the other neighbouring nations, being the children of Abraham by the concubines, are supposed to have been circumcised, which the Egyptians at this time were not, as may be gathered from Exodus 2:6, where they knew the child to be an Hebrew by this mark. Or 2. because they came out of Egypt, and were esteemed to be a sort of Egyptians, Numbers 22:5, which they justly thought a great reproach; but by their circumcision they were now distinguished from them, and manifested to be another people. Or 3. because many of them lay under this reproach in Egypt, having wickedly neglected this duty there for worldly reasons; and others of them continued in the same shameful condition for many years in the wilderness.

Gilgal — That is, rolling.

Verse 10

[10] And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.

The passover — Which was their third passover: the first was in Egypt, Exodus 12:11-24, the second at mount Sinai, Numbers 9:1-5, the third here; for in their wilderness travels, these and all other sacrifices were neglected, Amos 5:25. While they were in the wilderness, they were denied the comfort of this ordinance, as a farther token of God's displeasure. But now God comforted them again, after the time that he had afflicted them.

Verse 11

[11] And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.

Old corn — The corn of the last year, which the inhabitants of those parts had left in their barns, being fled into their strong cities, or other remoter parts.

The morrow — That is, on the sixteenth day; for the passover was killed between the two evenings of the fourteenth day, and was eaten in that evening or night, which, according to the Jewish computation, whereby they begin their days at the evening, was a part of the fifteenth day, all which was the feast of the passover; and so the morrow of the sixteenth day, was the morrow after the passover, when they were obliged to offer unto God the first sheaf, and then were allowed to eat of the rest.

Parched corn — Of that year's corn. which was most proper for that use.

Self-same day — Having an eager desire to enjoy the fruits of the land. And this corn came very seasonably; for after the passover, they were to keep the feast of unleavened bread, which they could not do, when they had nothing but manna to live upon.

Verse 12

[12] And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

The manna ceased — Which God now withheld, to shew that Manna was not an ordinary production of nature, but an extraordinary and special gift of God to supply their necessity. And because God would not be prodigal of his favours, by working miracles where ordinary means were sufficient.

The morrow — That is, on the seventeenth day.

Psalm 32

Verse 2

[2] Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Imputeth — Whom God doth not charge with the guilt of his sins, but graciously pardons and accepts him in Christ.

No guile — Who freely confesses all his sins, and turns from sin to God with all his heart.

Verse 3

[3] When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

Silence — From a full and open confession of my sins.

Old — My spirit failed, and the strength of my body decayed.

Roaring — Because of the continual horrors of my conscience, and sense of God's wrath.

Verse 4

[4] For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. /*Selah*/.

Hand — Thy afflicting hand.

My moisture — Was dried up.

Verse 5

[5] I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. /*Selah*/.

The iniquity — The guilt of my sin.

Verse 6

[6] For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

For this — Upon the encouragement of my example.

Found — In an acceptable and seasonable time, while God continues to offer grace and mercy.

Waters — In the time of great calamities.

Not come — So as to overwhelm him.

Verse 8

[8] I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

I will — This and the next verse seems to be the words of God, whom David brings in as returning this answer to his prayers.

Mine eye — So Christ did St. Peter, when he turned and looked upon him.

Verse 9

[9] Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

Will not — Unless they be forced to it by a bit or bridle. And so all the ancient translators understand it.

Verse 10

[10] Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

Sorrows — This is an argument to enforce the foregoing admonition.

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Verse 16

[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

So that we from this time — That we knew the love of Christ.

Know no one — Neither ourselves, nor you, neither the rest of the apostles, Galatians 2:6, nor any other person.

After the flesh — According to his former state, country, descent, nobility, riches, power, wisdom. We fear not the great. We regard not the rich or wise. We account not the least less than ourselves. We consider all, only in order to save all. Who is he that thus knows no one after the flesh? ln what land do these Christians live? Yea, if we have known even Christ after the flesh - So as to love him barely with a natural love, so as to glory in having conversed with him on earth, so as to expect only temporal benefits from him.

Verse 17

[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Therefore if any one be in Christ — A true believer in him.

There is a new creation — Only the power that makes a world can make a Christian. And when he is so created, the old things are passed away - Of their own accord, even as snow in spring.

Behold — The present, visible, undeniable change! All things are become new - He has new life, new senses, new faculties, new affections, new appetites, new ideas and conceptions. His whole tenor of action and conversation is new, and he lives, as it were, in a new world. God, men, the whole creation, heaven, earth, and all therein, appear in a new light, and stand related to him in a new manner, since he was created anew in Christ Jesus.

Verse 18

[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

And all these new things are from God, considered under this very notion, as reconciling us - The world, 2 Corinthians 5:19, to himself.

Verse 19

[19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Namely — The sum of which is, God - The whole Godhead, but more eminently God the Father.

Was in Christ, reconciling the world — Which was before at enmity with God.

To himself — So taking away that enmity, which could no otherwise be removed than by the blood of the Son of God.

Verse 20

[20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ-we beseech you in Christ's stead — Herein the apostle might appear to some "transported beyond himself." In general he uses a more calm, sedate kind of exhortation, as in the beginning of the next chapter. What unparalleled condescension and divinely tender mercies are displayed in this verse! Did the judge ever beseech a condemned criminal to accept of pardon? Does the creditor ever beseech a ruined debtor to receive an acquittance in full? Yet our almighty Lord, and our eternal Judge, not only vouchsafes to offer these blessings, but invites us, entreats us, and, with the most tender importunity, solicits us, not to reject them.

Verse 21

[21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

He made him a sin offering, who knew no sin — A commendation peculiar to Christ.

For us — Who knew no righteousness, who were inwardly and outwardly nothing but sin; who must have been consumed by the divine justice, had not this atonement been made for our sins.

That we might be made the righteousness of God through him — Might through him be invested with that righteousness, first imputed to us, then implanted in us, which is in every sense the righteousness of God.

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Verse 3

[3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

He spake — Three parables of the same import: for the sheep, the piece of silver, and the lost son, all declare (in direct contrariety to the Pharisees and scribes) in what manner God receiveth sinners.

Verse 12

[12] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

Give me the part of goods that falleth to me — See the root of all sin! A desire of disposing of ourselves; of independency on God!

Verse 13

[13] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

He took a journey into a far country — Far from God: God was not in all his thoughts: And squandered away his substance - All the grace he had received.

Verse 14

[14] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

He began to be in want — All his worldly pleasures failing, he grew conscious of his want of real good.

Verse 15

[15] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

And he joined himself to a citizen of that country — Either the devil or one of his children, the genuine citizens of that country which is far from God.

He sent him to feed swine — He employed him in the base drudgery of sin.

Verse 16

[16] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

He would fain have filled his belly with the husks — He would fain have satisfied himself with worldly comforts. Vain, fruitless endeavour!

Verse 17

[17] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

And coming to himself — For till then he was beside himself, as all men are, so long as they are without God in the world.

Verse 18

[18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

I will arise and go to my father — How accurately are the first steps of true repentance here pointed out! Against Heaven - Against God.

Verse 20

[20] And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

And he arose and came to his father — The moment he had resolved, he began to execute his resolution.

While he was yet a great way off, his father saw him — Returning, starved, naked.

Verse 22

[22] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

But the father said — Interrupting him before he had finished what he intended to say. So does God frequently cut an earnest confession short by a display of his pardoning love.

Verse 23

[23] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

Let us be merry — Both here, and wherever else this word occurs, whether in the Old or New Testament, it implies nothing of levity, but a solid, serious, religious, heartfelt joy: indeed this was the ordinary meaning of the word two hundred years ago, when our translation was made.

Verse 25

[25] Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

The elder son seems to represent the Pharisees and scribes, mentioned Luke 15:2.

Verse 27

[27] And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

Thy father hath killed the fatted calf — Perhaps he mentions this rather than the robe or ring, as having a nearer connection with the music and dancing.

Verse 28

[28] And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

He was angry, and would not go in — How natural to us is this kind of resentment!

Verse 29

[29] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

Lo, so many years do I serve thee — So he was one of the instances mentioned Luke 15:7. How admirably therefore does this parable confirm that assertion! Yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends - Perhaps God does not usually give much joy to those who never felt the sorrows of repentance.

Verse 31

[31] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

Thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine — This suggests a strong reason against murmuring at the indulgence shown to the greatest of sinners. As the father's receiving the younger son did not cause him to disinherit the elder; so God's receiving notorious sinners will be no loss to those who have always served him; neither will he raise these to a state of glory equal to that of those who have always served him, if they have, upon the whole, made a greater progress in inward as well as outward holiness.

Verse 32

[32] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

This thy brother was dead, and is alive — A thousand of these delicate touches in the inspired writings escape an inattentive reader. In Luke 15:30, the elder son had unkindly and indecently said, This thy son. The father in his reply mildly reproves him, and tenderly says, This thy brother - Amazing intimation, that the best of men ought to account the worst sinners their brethren still; and should especially remember this relation, when they show any inclination to return. Our Lord in this whole parable shows, not only that the Jews had no cause to murmur at the reception of the Gentiles, (a point which did not at that time so directly fall under consideration,) but that if the Pharisees were indeed as good as they fancied themselves to be, still they had no reason to murmur at the kind treatment of any sincere penitent. Thus does he condemn them, even on their own principles, and so leaves them without excuse. We have in this parable a lively emblem of the condition and behaviour of sinners in their natural state. Thus, when enriched by the bounty of the great common Father, do they ungratefully run from him, Luke 15:12. Sensual pleasures are eagerly pursued, till they have squandered away all the grace of God, Luke 15:13. And while these continue, not a serious thought of God can find a place in their minds. And even when afflictions come upon them, Luke 15:14, still they will make hard shifts before they will let the grace of God, concurring with his providence, persuade them to think of a return, Luke 15:15,16. When they see themselves naked, indigent, and undone, then they recover the exercise of their reason, Luke 15:17. Then they remember the blessings they have thrown away, and attend to the misery they have incurred. And hereupon they resolve to return to their father, and put the resolution immediately in practice, Luke 15:18,19. Behold with wonder and pleasure the gracious reception they find from Divine, injured goodness! When such a prodigal comes to his father, he sees him afar off, Luke 15:20. He pities, meets, embraces him, and interrupts his acknowledgments with the tokens of his returning favour, Luke 15:21. He arrays him with the robe of a Redeemer's righteousness, with inward and outward holiness; adorns him with all his sanctifying graces, and honours him with the tokens of adopting love, Luke 15:22. And all this he does with unutterable delight, in that he who was lost is now found, Luke 15:23,24. Let no elder brother murmur at this indulgence, but rather welcome the prodigal back into the family. And let those who have been thus received, wander no more, but emulate the strictest piety of those who for many years have served their heavenly Father, and not transgressed his commandments.

The Upper Room Ministries

PO Box 340004

Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "God's Fulfillment"  by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 6 March 2016 with Scripture Joshua 5:9 Adonai said to Y’hoshua, “Today I have rolled off from you the stigma of Egypt.” This is why the place has been called Gilgal [rolling] ever since. 10 The people of Isra’el camped at Gilgal, and they observed Pesach on the fourteenth day of the month, there on the plains of Yericho. 11 The day after Pesach they ate what the land produced, matzah and roasted ears of grain that day. 12 The following day, after they had eaten food produced in the land, the man ended. From then on the people of Isra’el no longer had man; instead, that year, they ate the produce of the land of Kena‘an.

My Paraphrase of Joshua 5:9-12 As the Israelites crossed the Jordan River to enter the land promised them, they celebrated the Passover Meal which they have not since they were at the foot of Mount Sinai. After they were completed with the Passover celebration, they ate the food that was in the land for the first time and God no longer sent them the miracle food of manna and quail as they traveled through the desert from Egypt. Today, we do celebrate the whole Passover Meal only the part where Jesus broke the bread and called it His Body and poured the wine and called it His Blood. We enjoy the foots of our own labors as well as others without actually giving thanks for God's giving us freedom from our sins to live in His Holy Spirit Power of love and mercy.

Now, How often do we neglect the thinks that God has given us through His son? I am reminded to much of the American Christian Churches that is too often focused on getting people to repent and accept Jesus to gain a ticket to Heaven without living this Heaven on this earth. We are called into a relationship with Jesus not just to live with Him after this life is over, but to live this live with the same gusto that Jesus lived when He was living in our neighborhood some 2000 years ago. Jesus not only came into the world to redeem His people from their sins by sacrificing Himself on he cross, but to show us how to live in His love and mercy to wards all His other creation to bring Heaven on earth as we pray in the "Our Father". Come let us celebrate the redemption God Gave the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt as well as celebrating and remembering that suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus for our sins until He returns. We do this in part by eating His Body and drinking His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist today. We forward ti receive God's Blessings, Love, Mercy, Grace, and Power to Live singing the Hymn "Would you be free from the burden of sin?" by  Lewis E. Jones (1899)

1. Would you be free from the burden of sin?

There's power in the blood, power in the blood;

Would you o'er evil a victory win?

There's wonderful power in the blood.

Chorus:

There is power, power, wonder working power

In the blood of the Lamb.

There is power, power. wonder working power

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

2. Would you be free from your passion and pride?

There's power in the blood, power in the blood;

Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide;

There's wonderful power in the blood.

Chorus:

There is power, power, wonder working power

In the blood of the Lamb.

There is power, power. wonder working power

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

3. Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?

There's power in the blood, power in the blood;

Sin stains are lost in its life giving flow;

There's wonderful power in the blood.

Chorus:

There is power, power, wonder working power

In the blood of the Lamb.

There is power, power. wonder working power

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

4. Would you do service for Jesus your King?

There's power in the blood, power in the blood;

Would you live daily His praises to sing?

There's wonderful power in the blood.

Chorus:

There is power, power, wonder working power

In the blood of the Lamb.

There is powe, power. wonder working power

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Gary Lee Parker

4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1

San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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