Evangelizing The Prodigal – Part 2
How should we go about evangelizing the prodigal in our family, whether they be our son or daughter, brother or sister? Although we must share the gospel through the scriptures, Bobbi suggests the need to love unconditionally is also vitally important.
Brown Manila Envelopes
When his son visits, and picks him up for lunch, the father is prepared. Perhaps, he thinks. Perhaps this time my son will understand.
Over soup and a sandwich, the father produces a brown manila envelope, similar to the one he gave his son the last time they visited, the time before that, and the time before that, as well.
The envelope, like the others, is filled with essays written by the father, newly constructed evidence from the Bible telling the son the truth found in scripture, telling him the penalty for sin and how much he needs Jesus.
Over coffee, they go through the notes. The father witnesses to his son, telling him of the urgency: he needs to listen, open his mind, admit his vile state, accept the truth, and accept the Lord Jesus Christ.
The son appears engaged. He nods. Sometimes he comments, but not much.
At the end of the visit the son pays for their meal, puts the envelope in the back seat of the car, and drives his father home.
A Burdened Father
The father goes in and back to his desk, back to his writing, still burdened with the knowledge that his son continues to refuse Christ’s redeeming love.
Between now and their next visit the father will persevere, looking for that passage of scripture, that perfect combination of words that will be the pivotal point, the ultimate argument to catch his son’s attention.
Please God, he prays, let my son come to know you!
Sister And Brother
After dropping off his father, as is his routine when he comes to town, the son now stops to visit his sister. As with every time before, he tells her, “I took Dad for lunch.”
And as with every time before, he says, “Dad had another envelope for me.” The son sighs, and asks, “Why can’t he just be happy with who I’ve become?”
And it occurs to the sister that she has never ever heard their father express any interest in her brother, beyond the fact that he’s going to hell.
The Prodigal Son
In the story of the Prodigal Son, we read of another father longing to see his son. The scripture says, “But while [the son] was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
Love from that Father was unconditional and expressed in public.
The only reason we can love is because Jesus loved us first.
Jesus loves us in our condition of sin, just as we are.
I think that’s the kind of love God wants believing fathers to display for unbelieving sons.
I think that’s the kind of love God wants all believers to display for their children.
No matter how old they are, our children need to know they’re loved, valued, and accepted, just as they are.
Are you struggling to love someone unconditionally?
Ask Jesus to help you love; no strings attached.
Click here for Part 1
Do you have a story about sharing the gospel? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Bobbi Junior
Jesus drew Bobbi Junior to himself in 1996, as she entered the darkest period of her adult life. He loved her through clinical depression, an accident that left her daughter a quadriplegic, and a difficult season of caring for her mother who suffered from dementia.
Bobbi said Jesus caught her and taught her and brought her through the darkness as only a Saviour could. She wrote and spoke on the value of suffering, lessons learned, and caregiving. Bobbi lived in Alberta, Canada with her husband and near her two adult children. Read her blog and download a chapter of her book, The Reluctant Caregiver at bobbijunior.com
Bobbi went home to be with the Lord November 30, 2020 and will be missed by her family, friends and followers.
Bobbi’s program, “Not Me Lord” airs on HopeStreamRadio.
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