THE SEEKING SON
"What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
Luke 15:4-7
This parable is set forth in the Shepherd who leaves the ninety and nine and goes after that which was lost—
"Out in the desert He heard its cry-
Sick, and helpless, and ready to die."
Pity touched His heart, and His un-wearying love took Him " over rocks, and waste, and wild," until He gladly laid hold upon the strag-gler, and lifted it upon His shoulders.
The home scene is beauti-ful. Friends and neighbours throng in and rejoice together.
A glimpse is given into heaven itself, but what over, think you, "one sinner that repenteth." This forms the third strand of the blue cord upon which the golden beads of repenance are strung. It does seem wonderful that the silly sheep who was carried back, and the coin that could never come back, but was lifted up by the eager seeker, should be called repentance; but then they each arrived back at the broper place whence they were lost; so also the younger son, but in him are seen the true emotions resulting from turning to the father.
"Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?" Like the lost son, return unto the Heart of Love and the Home of Plenty.
