A college professor gave a pop quiz. Most students whizzed through it until they came to the last question: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Most students left it blank. How could they know the cleaning woman’s name? One student asked the teacher if that last question would count toward the grade.” “Yes,” he said, “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant and deserve your respect, your “hello.” In the story of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke Chapter 15, the elder brother did not accept his younger sibling because he had wasted his father’s money on parties–even though he was showing signs of repenting. The elder son looked down on his sibling, thinking himself holier than his brother. Today, we must guard against proudly thinking we are better than others. The father pleaded to the elder, “Son, we had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!” The father in the story is our Heavenly Father. He loves each of us despite all we have done. He waits for us to repent and come home.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
