Reclaiming the Truth
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” So he got up and went to his father.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.
Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. “Your brother has come,” he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.” The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!”
“My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15.11-32
Redeeming the Time
If you are like me, you can find yourself all over this story. It is a familiar parable to most of us and usually centers around the two sons and the mistakes they make. We all can likely relate to them on some level. This week, however, we will focus on the father. The father in this story reflects the character and nature of our Heavenly Father, and we are created to reflect and bear His image.
The story of the prodigal son reminds us of our God who doesn’t just forgive but loves us so extravagantly and lavishly. No matter how far we have strayed, no matter how long we have strayed. It is a love that He is inviting us to rest in and receive. It is also a love that He is inviting us to respond to.
When we are able to move our focus from being one of the sons in the story to become like the father, redemption takes on a whole new meaning. There, we are able to move from being the victim of our past sins and failures to living as a victor of who we are in Him…fully redeemed and completely beloved. Once we are able to make that move, we find deeper the love of Christ in us and it can’t help but to spill out to those around us.
Reflection
- What does this text show me about the loveliness of God?
- What is it about God in this text that calls for your love for him?
- What does this text show you about people and what love requires of you on their behalf?
- As one what has been shown mercy and love from God, what empowerment from Him do you need to overcome your obstacles to love?
- What about the love of God in Jesus gives you hope and provision for your own lovelessness?
- What does it look like to rest and receive His redemptive love today?
Resting in His Redemption
Write a prayer of thanksgiving in response to His redemptive love.
