Hearing the Father Sing – The Love Story

The other week I was preparing for a men’s Bible study meditating on Luke 15 and thinking to myself this just might be the greatest chapter of Scripture. I know that’s a big statement but hear me out. At the very core of Christianity is a love story. It is about Father God who pursues His lost children. The Word that He has given us is all about Him coming near to us as He desires a relationship with sinful broken people. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.

In Luke 15 Jesus, is The Word that became flesh. He is hanging out with dishonest tax collectors, notorious sinners, the worst of the worst according to the religious leaders of His day. These religious leaders couldn’t hold back their distain for this reckless rabbi fellowshipping with such polluted people.

Luke records three stories that highlight Jesus’ mission and the heart of His Father. The parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Two Lost Sons, without a doubt point to the relentless pursuit of a loving God running to “lost” children. Don’t miss the word “lost!” Who are the lost? Could it be you, me and everyone who came from Adam and Eve? In fact as we talked about in our study, there are no 99 sheep. As the prophet Isaiah said, “we all like sheep have gone astray; we have turned -every one- to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.” (53:6)

The Father sent Jesus as our Good Shepherd leaving all He had in heaven to find the lost sheep. Jesus is like the Relentless Woman turning the house upside down to find the lost coin. Jesus is like the Running Father who goes after both lost sons. The heart of the Father is manifested through Jesus.

At the end of each of these stories is a full on celebration filled with rejoicing, singing, and dancing over the lost that has been brought home. Jesus even opens up the door of heaven to show us how a party breaks out ever time a time one of these precious children our brought back to their Abba Father.

This is why I believe this could be the greatest chapter in the Bible.  It brings together the theme throughout Scripture, which is an amazing Love Story. So often missed as it is turned into doctrinal truths to be argued, or a moral standard that states some of us are “in” and others are “out.”  Don’t forget Jesus shared these stories because the majority of the religious leaders of His day missed the love story when it was right in front of their faces.

If we are going to hear the Father sing over us (Zeph. 3:17) we need to see His heart of love which is highlighted in Luke 15. He is waiting on the front porch of Heaven searching for us to return home, and when sees us stumbling on the path with our heavy burden of sin and shame-He runs!  Before we can even get out the words “we have sinned….” He calls for our full right as His sons and daughters to be restored and brought into the everlasting party of the lost who have been found!

I don’t know about you but between the constant chaotic noise of the world and the battle in my own mind I need to read and mediate on this Love Story everyday. I need the daily reminder that the Father runs to me in Jesus and brings me home and celebrates me. And as I read the Love Story His Spirit reminds me even when I fail Him, fall down, or I’m overcome with fear I’m forever His beloved son and no one or anything can ever take me out of His arms of love.

Today if you are having a hard time hearing Him sing over your life, spend time reading the ultimate Love Story and picture the Father seeing and running after you with His heart of love!