LightGrams
April 18, 2019
Volume 23, Number 15
An unnamed lady who works at a Sam’s Club store in Houston found a ring three years ago. It was a class ring from The University of Houston, and had apparently been dropped into a case of water. The lady took it home, thinking she would try to find its rightful owner. Then she misplaced it.
Recently she came across the ring, and has intensified her search to find the owner. Her motivation? Her son recently graduated from another Texas university, and knows how much he treasures his class ring. She now has engaged the help of The University of Houston and the local media in an attempt to reunite the ring with its owner.
I have a class ring I received after graduating from high school, but none from my college years. There was a time I highly valued that ring and wore it proudly. I’d estimate that it has been forty or more years since I wore it last.
In Luke 15 we find one of Jesus’ most famous parables, the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The younger son, as you well remember, decided home was not where he wanted to be any longer. He demanded his share of the inheritance and his father complied. Before long all the money was wasted because of his riotous lifestyle.
The son decided to return home and beg for a position as a day laborer. He had no expectation of being received back to his former position as son. Was he in for a surprise! “… the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet'” (Luke 15:22). A feast was also prepared to celebrate the young man’s homecoming.
A ring in that era was often much more than jewelry. Consider Genesis 41:42: “Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand …” The signet ring was a sign of authority; seals could be created with this ring, a signature of sorts. It meant that the one wearing the ring had authority and privileges.
By putting a ring on the prodigal son’s finger, the father was announcing to all, “This is my son. Regardless of his past actions, I welcome him back into the family!”
Ephesians 2:19 doesn’t mention a ring, but the idea is similar: “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Paul was writing to Christians – formerly sinners, alienated from God. Regardless of our past, Christ wants to welcome us to His Father’s home!
God has other rings in His possession, and one of them will fit your finger. He wants so badly for you to come home that He sent His only begotten Son to search for you.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2019, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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