There was an extremely wealthy man who owned land that stretched for acres and a mansion befitting royalty. He had two sons, but he loved kids and was a kind generous soul, and wanted to have more children.

One day he called both his sons to him and gave them an instruction, “I want you both to go into the city. There are many orphans in the streets. I want you to invite them to our mansion and tell them that if they are willing, I will adopt them as my children.”

So both sons went on their task. Firstborn, whose name is John, went out of obedience but he wasn’t really sure why his father would want more children. The second son, named James, went with the knowledge of how much his father loved children.

When they reached the city, the two sons went on separate routes. John went down the alley and saw many children begging, for it was an impoverished part of the city that he went to. But as he walked he only thought to himself, “I'm sure Father wouldn’t want these orphans. They are filthy and vulgar. Some might even be crooks. I think most of them are pretty hopeless. It should be best I leave them alone.”

James however went down the alley and asked each of them one by one the same thing, “Friend, my father wants to adopt you. He is abundant in wealth and would take care of you for the rest of your life and treat you like his very own. Come with me please.”

The first child scoffed, “How can there be such a wonderful person? I don't believe it.”
The second child sobbed, “But I'm so filthy. How would your father ever accept a child like me?”
The third child growled, “Do I look so pathetic to you? I know cobbling and I'll shine shoes. I can survive here. I don't need anyone to take care of me.”
The fourth one wept. “Can I really come with you?”

So James took the fourth child with him and returned to the mansion with John who returned empty-handed. When they came home, their father was overjoyed. He washed, cleaned and groomed the orphan himself till he looked like one of his sons and told him, “Today you will take on my name. You are now part of the family and I name you one of my heirs as well. You will have access to all of my possessions and resources, and whatever you ask of me, son, I will give it to you.”

After some time, the adopted son, Jonathan, went back every day with James because he remembered all his friends and the other orphans still in the slums, and he wanted to bring them back to the mansion with him, and their father was overwhelmed with joy.

 

THE MORAL

This story is just a simple reflection of God's heart and our own. Most of you reading this would have figured out the message for yourself but here I'll touch on the points of the analogy.

The Father’s concern is plain and simple. He wants to save every soul. He wants every man and every woman as His children, to call Him “Abba Father”. He loves all.

The Father’s command is equally simple. He wants His children to give the invitation to all. It is an instruction that His children must obey.

The orphan’s replies are varied. These orphans are the Fatherless. They live life without the Most High God as their parent. They live spiritually impoverished lives without knowing the blessings of God the Father. And given the same invitation they give different replies.

The first is skeptical. His reply is one of unbelief and disbelief. He finds it impossible to believe that Grace is so freely given and that God can be so good, but it is so. Worse, he might think this God doesn't exist, but He does and even sent His only Son to die for our sake.

The second is pessimistic. He looks within and sees his condition, but feels unworthy and undeserving. He finds it hard to imagine that Mercy is freely given, just as Grace is.

The third is stubborn. He believes in himself. That he can accomplish things by his own hand. He feels like he doesn’t need God. But we can't save ourselves. Not by our own strength. Nor by our own works. For our works are as filthy rags in God's just holiness.

The fourth is willing. He knows his own state but he is grateful for the chance of redemption, for a changed life - a better life, and he seizes the opportunity.

We see four different replies. How many of us are like the first three? So then which one should we choose? God is always overjoyed to accept us when we choose to be like the fourth orphan. Choose life not death. Choose blessing, not spiritual poverty. And the way to accept the invitation?

But we must first take the step to the mansion.

The children’s response is interesting. Those of us as Christians sometimes think like the firstborn son, and I am no exception. Sometimes we look at unbelievers and think of how flawed their character is or how sinful they are, but we fail to see the Father’s heart and to see through His eyes and see them all as needing God. We must always bear in mind that Jesus came to save especially the sinners, not the righteous.

The second son and the adopted son did the same thing, but the interesting thing is that the adopted son has actually been there. In the same impoverished state as the rest. Some of us like the second son might have been born in a Christian family, and had salvation from young. What a blessing! But if we are like the adopted son who has had a taste of life without God and found the abundant life in Him, shouldn't we and wouldn't we want to spread the gospel to all our friends?

As children, how many of us are like the firstborn? Unable to share the Father's compassion for the lost. So what should our response be? God still loves us regardless of what we do for Him or how many souls we save.

But we must first take the step to the slums.