Articles
What If . . . ?
What if Jesus had told His parables with different endings? What if the Prodigal Son came home only to be rejected by his father, as well as his elder brother? What if the lost sheep stayed lost? What if the Samaritan passed by on the other side, leaving the wounded man to bleed to death on the road? What if the Two Talent Man and the Five Talent Man also buried their talents? What if all ten virgins were foolish and had no oil to light the way for the bridegroom?
What if the sower went forth to sow, and all his seed fell on hard/stony/thorny ground? What if the hidden treasure was never discovered, and the merchant never found his pearl of great price? What if the tax collector’s prayer were rejected, along with the Pharisee’s? What if no one came to the wedding banquet? What if both builders had built on the sand? What if both Lazarus and the rich man ended up together in torment? What if everyone at the Judgment stood on the left-hand side, lost?
But the Prodigal Son was welcomed home by his father. The lost sheep was found, amid much rejoicing. The Samaritan did stop and help. The Two Talent Man and the Five Talent Man doubled their master’s money and each heard him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Five of the virgins were ready for the bridegroom’s arrival. Some of the sower’s seed fell on good soil, and a bountiful harvest resulted. The treasure and the pearl were found.
The tax collector went home justified by God. The banquet hall was filled with guests. The wise man’s house stood firm. Lazarus was comforted at Abraham’s side.
And those on the right at the Judgment were told, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34 NASB).
The gospel is good news!
