The story Jesus told about the prodigal son, or we might say the “ruined son”, is about the son of a well-to-do man who decides that he’s had enough of dad and the limits that he feels are placed on his life. So, he asks for his share of the inheritance while dad is still alive! But dad gives him his share and the boy goes out and just plows through the whole thing…using it for self and sin! He’s broke, friendless and in desperation he swallows his pride and makes his way back to his dad’s property. He is a smelly, dishonored, disrespectful failure of a person and he comes in his rags back to his father. Dad apparently has been looking down that road for who knows how long, hoping for this moment and then he sees this son of his returning. And instead of a lecture of some kind of put down, the father runs and grabs his son and hugs him with tears of thanksgiving. He throws a welcome home party for this younger of his two sons. But there is a older son, a faithful worker who is disgusted that dad would welcome back this embarrassment to their family and he refuses to have anything to do with welcoming him home. The father in the story is God, who is more generous than we can imagine. But you and I…we are both sons. We all have fallen short of the glory of God with our sin and selfishness. And when we come to God…we all are broken, ragged, unworthy people. And God welcomes us with tears and celebration. But then we can be like the other son. We then work hard, we do the right things before God and others. But so often when the next ragged outlaw comes broken and helpless to God…we sometimes have a hard time doing what God has done for us. We owe people forgiveness, not because they are good…they aren’t. But they are valuable to God. We have been forgiven more than we will ever be brave enough to admit. And now we have the opportunity of behaving like the God who has poured out his undeserved love on us. And we can forgive…and especially forgive those who come seeking redemption from the same savior we have received ours. The Apostle Paul said that we are now different, and we must dress ourselves with tender mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We must clothe ourselves with love. And we need to forgive those who offend us. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus today and be extravagant in your love and generous in your forgiveness. Because one day you were that ragged, broken, dirty figure that had the courage to come home and were welcomed by the God of creation with tears and joy. Here’s our Bible verse for today,..
Colossians 3:12-14 NLT Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (13) Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (14) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Remember I’m praying for you!
With love, PJ
Colossians 3:12-14 NLT Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (13) Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (14) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Remember I’m praying for you!
With love, PJ