James had been brought up in a comfortable home. Although he had a loving family and every material thing he could desire, he was still unsatisfied. He wanted to see LIFE, and for this he left home and family to have his fling in the world.
He spent his money freely as long as it lasted, but at last the day came when it was all spent, and he faced the necessity of earning a living. That was easier said than done! The best he could find was to join a group of other young men in the same condition. They sang and played their instruments on the street for whatever their listeners might give them.
One day they stood outside a small shop, a Bible store. After they had sung several songs, James stepped forward and offered his tambourine as a collection plate.
The storekeeper took a Bible from the window and said, “See here, young man! I will give you a dollar and this Book, if you will read a portion of it outside, among your fellows, in the hearing of the bystanders.”
“Here’s a dollar for an easy job!” shouted James to his mates. “I’m going to give a ‘public reading!’ ”
The storekeeper opened the Book at the fifteenth chapter of Luke’s gospel and, pointing to the eleventh verse, asked the young man to begin.
“Now, Jim, speak up,” said one of his companions, “and earn your dollar like a man!”
James began, “A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
“That’s you, Jim,” exclaimed one of the company. “It’s just like what you told us about yourself and your father.”
Controlling his feelings, James read slowly on: “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.”
“Why, that’s you again, Jim!” said the voice. “Go on!”
“And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”
“That’s just like us all!” interrupted the voice. “We’re all beggars; go on and let’s hear what came of it!”
Jim was hardly able to read, but with quivering lips he continued: “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father.”
He could read no more, but this was sufficient. Thoughts of home sprang up in his heart: Everyone there has enough, while I in my present state—have nothing. Everything compelled him to say, “I will arise and go to my father.” He went, and oh, what a welcome he got!
Thank God, the story does not end here. Jim did not rest until he knew that not only had his father received him, but that God, too, found His delight in receiving and blessing him.
I wonder if you, too, have gotten away from home, away from God. If so, let me tell you that God is waiting to receive you back. Think of the way in which the heart of God has been expressed to poor, wretched man in the gift of Jesus! He has died, “the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.”
He Himself says, “Come; for all things are now ready” (Luke 14:1717And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. (Luke 14:17)). What an invitation! And what a Saviour is waiting to receive you! He wants to save you. He died to save you!
“ His father saw him,
and had compassion, and ran,
and fell on his neck , and kissed him.”