Luke 15:11-32 And he said, A certain man had two sons:… A Christian father had a son whose conduct had nearly broken his heart. He had prayed for him, instructed him in the things of God, and done all that his deep love for his soul and for his future welfare dictated, but all to no avail. He grew up a vile, hardened sinner, and left his father's home, young in years but old in sin. At length that father was thrown upon a bed of death. Before breathing his last he sent for his prodigal son, and asked him to promise, after his father was laid in the grave, that he would spend one hour alone each day in that room, for three months. The son readily gave the promise. The death of his father made but little impression on him, and again he rushed on in his mad career of sin. That hour alone, however, was a great burden to him. He greatly dreaded it, yet did not dare to break his promise, made under such solemn circumstances. At last one day the hour dragged along slower than usual. He had an engagement with some boon companions, and was in haste to go and enjoy their society. He often consulted his watch to see how the time passed. At last the thought came into his mind, "Why did my father lay upon me this strange obligation?" Then quick as lightning the thought flashed over his mind, "My father was a good man, he loved my soul, and it must have been for my soul's good he did this." This led him to reflect upon his father's love, his past life in all its vileness, his lost and desperate state as a sinner against God's holy law, till he fell upon his knees, and cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" He spent not only the hour but the whole day alone with God, nor did he leave the room till it could be said of him, that he "had come to himself." He came out of that room a converted man. Parallel Verses KJV: And he said, A certain man had two sons: |
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