"Pie Problems"

EPISODE 113

Seek the Lost Unselfishly

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I love pie — pumpkin, pecan, peach, lemon, key-lime, basically every kind of pie! The only thing I don't like about it is watching someone else cut a slice — one less piece for me! But joking aside, that's the kind of selfish approach Jesus' critics held in Luke 15.

"... the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them"" (Luke 15:1-2).

So, Jesus responds with three parables about finding lost things. The final, and most pointed one, directly addressed their sour attitude — the prodigal's angry brother.

Personal Pity Party

"Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in ..." (Luke 15:25-28).

Have you ever thrown a pity party when you heard of someone else's success? Sadly, I have. But why do we do that? From the older brother, we see his selfishness, envy, jealousy, and lack of love for his brother. Rather than rejoicing when good things happen to others, it's too easy to make it all about us. But Jesus goes on.

Just the Facts

"... His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'" (Luke 15:28-30).

Did you notice that everything the older brother said was factually correct? Do we excuse our feelings of jealousy and selfishness that way — by listing out all the facts? When we focus so much on justice that we forget about mercy, we're walking the road of anger and bitterness. When we refuse to show mercy to others, God won't show us mercy either (James 2:13).

Enough for All

"And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" (Luke 15:31-32).

Salvation isn't like a pie. There's enough to go around for everyone! And when a lost soul is found, the only appropriate response is to celebrate. Like the father reminded the older son, do you need a refresher course of your blessings in Christ?

Praise God that salvation is extended to all! And may he help us search out the lost ones of this world, rather than selfishly shutting them out and looking down on them in judgment.