The First Will Be Last
The Lost Son: Luke 15:11–32
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark9:35
Deborah woke early; as usual. The first light of morning was just starting to give colour to everything in the kitchen, where she was sleeping on her sleeping mat in the corner. She would have liked to draw the blanket a bit tighter around her shoulders, and just sleep for a little longer, but Deborah knew that this was not an option.
The workload was so much more, now that Father had to let some of his servants go. He had to sell some of his cattle and sheep as well, to give in to her brother, Simon’s latest demand.
Can you imagine asking Father to give him his part of the inheritance now, while Father is still alive!
What Deborah finds even more amazing is that Father gave in to him. Deborah also started to take over some of Mother’s duties, as Mother seemed to be tired and depressed all the time since Simon left.
Deborah got dressed and then went out into the frosty morning air. She shivered when the cold air enveloped her like a blanket. She started her brisk walk towards the Palm of Deborah. Their beautiful farm was situated in the hill country of Ephraim, between Ramah and Bethel. The Palm of Deborah, the place where, many years ago, another Debora, use to sit and give advice to the Israelites, was on their farm, a short walking distance from the farmhouse.
Deborah comes here often. This is where she takes time to pray, before the busy day, starts. This is where she cries out her sorrows to the Lord when life seems too difficult to handle on her own.
This is too where she brings her request before God. She knows that it is with a great purpose that God has placed her in this place. She longs to be of service to God, even though she is only a woman.
She knows that woman can do great things. After all, is she not named after Deborah, the prophet, who use to lead Israel, so many years ago. God used her so mightily, even though she was just a woman.
This morning like so many other, Deborah cried out to the Lord. “Please Lord use me in a mighty way. Make me a great woman in your sight.”
Soon the sun’s first rays warmed her back where she was kneeling on the ground, and Deborah knew she had to rush home to start her duties, she had already lingered too long, and Father and Daniel would be out in the fields already. She would have to prepare some food to take out to them in the fields.
She hopes that Mother will be a bit more cheerful today, it is hard to see her mother looking so sad. She knows that Father also misses Simon, but he hardly ever speaks about his youngest son.
Daniel does not even want to hear Simon’s name, he is very angry with his younger brother. Sometimes Deborah also feels angry towards her youngest brother. How can he treat his father and mother like that?
Father and Mother did not only teach them the law and the prophets, but they showed their children in a loving way how to live a life pleasing to God. But at times she really misses Simon. He was so full of fun and laughter. He always teased her and Mother, but he was also the one that would bring a little flower, that he picked in the field, home for her or Mother. Daniel is always so serious, and he does not even notice her.
When the sun was high in the sky that day, Deborah saw her father meet two men down the road. They would have company for the midday meal and Deborah and Mother would have to start preparing a meal for the men. When they came closer, Deborah recognized her uncle John and one of his friends.
She was happy to see him again, he was her favourite uncle and often brought her a little gift when he came to visit. Today was no exception. Uncle brought her a lovely bottle of perfume! Deborah felt like a grown woman, she has never had perfume before. Mother was amazed at the expensive gift, but Uncle just laughed and said he could afford it and Deborah was his favourite niece. Deborah hurried to help Mother prepared the food, but she stayed close enough to Father and Uncle to be able to hear all the news that Uncle had to share with Father.
The news that Uncle brought to them, was not good news though. Uncle John just returned from Memphis in Egypt, where he did some trading. In Memphis, he met people who knew Simon.
It seems that Simon was wasting all his money away on parties and woman. He was living a life of sin and bringing shame to their family name. After Uncle John and his friend left, Father became even quieter and Daniel became angrier.
It was Mother that Deborah was worried about though. She did not want to do anything and just sat by the window, staring out at the trees. She hardly ever ate, and Deborah did not know how to help her. With no help from Mother anymore, Deborah had no time, to spend, speaking to God at the Palm of Deborah. She still prayed but longed to have some time to be on her own.
One morning Deborah rose even earlier than usual.
She felt such a need to spend time with God, that she was willing to sacrifice a few hours of sleep, to be able to meet with the Lord under the palm trees.
The morning star welcomed her as she left the house, very quietly. She walked along the well-known path, without any difficulty, in the darkness. The big rock under the palm trees welcomed her like an old friend. For a while, she sat on the rock and spoke to God.
She told Him of all their problems. She praised Him and thanked Him for being her God. Then once again, Deborah begged of God to speak to her. She wanted to hear His voice. She wanted to know how she could serve God.
“Please God,” she begged, “let me do great things for you.”
She waited.
Maybe God would speak to her in thunder. Maybe there would be an earthquake. Everything was still, not a sound could be heard; but suddenly Deborah became aware of God’s holy presence.
She fell down on her knees and bowed low, knowing that the almighty God was there. She could not explain it, but she knew. Suddenly a soft breeze started to blow and the leaves of the palm trees started to rustle. Deborah remembered how God spoke to Elijah in a gentle whisper. Will God speak to her now, in this gentle wind that is moving through the leaves?
Then His voice came to her, He spoke right into her heart. “Deborah, wash your brother’s feet.” Deborah waited. She was willing to wash her brother’s feet, as the daughter in the family, it was, after all, her duty when Father and Daniel came home from the field, tired and hungry. It is what she did when they had visitors. She knew there had to be more.
But not a sound was heard now. The leaves were still. The breeze has stopped.
“Is this really all that God will tell me to do.” At first, Deborah felt such disappointment. She knew it was God’s voice, but He did not tell her to do anything great! He told her to do something that she does every day already!
Then Deborah bowed her head, “Lord, if this is what You want me to do, I will do it with a joyful heart,” she said. Immediately she felt peace, enter into her heart and flooding over her like the waters of many rivers. She got up from her knees, stretching her arms towards heaven, she stood there before her Lord. “Thank you, Lord,” she said, “I am your servant.”
The sun was already high in the sky before Deborah made her way back to the house. She knew that Father would frown at her being so late, and Daniel might have something to say about her neglecting her morning tasks like this.
She would have to apologize, but she could not help smiling. The joy and peace she feels inside her since God spoke to her, is something she could not explain.
She was amazed when she suddenly saw Father, running down the road, away from the house. Where would he be going this early, and why is he running. She started walking faster to see what was happening and was even more amazed when she saw Father return with his arm around a young man’s shoulders.
The young man looked dirty and poor. Surely, he must be some beggar that Father saw along the road! Why would Father bring a beggar home at this time of the morning? She hurried down the little path leading towards home.
As Deborah reached the door, Daniel came storming out of the house, his face looking like a thunder cloud. He ignored Deborah and stormed down the path that Deborah just came from. Inside the house, she heard Mother and Father laughing! How long has it been since she heard the happy sound of laughter?
She walked in and there stood Simon, his clothes were torn and dirty. He had no sandals on his dirty, dusty feet. He looked at her, and their eyes met. He had a question in his eyes, that she understood. Without words, he was asking her to forgive him. She looked at him and smiled. “Come, my brother,” she said, “let me wash your feet.”
This story is published in Koinonia — stories by Christians to encourage, entertain, and empower you in your faith, food, fitness, family and fun.
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