I love the story that Jesus told that we call “The Prodigal Son”. The story he told is of a younger of two brothers who decides he’s had enough of life at home and tells his dad that he wants his share of the inheritance right now…he can’t wait for dad to die! And so, the father splits the estate and gives the young man his share. Well, this guy puts as much distance between him and his dad and brother as possible. And he is in a foreign place with lots of money. Well, he and his new friends spend it all…he is dead broke. And a famine hits the land and there is no extra for him to live off of and we find this once rich kid now feeding pigs and thinking about eating their food. He remembers that even the lowest of workers back on his father’s ranch have food, clothing and shelter. So, his plan is to journey back home and ask Dad to take him on, not as a son, but as a new worker on the ranch. The dad apparently has been watching the road to the ranch daily and one day he sees this thin, ragged figure approaching, but he knows it is his son who has come home. And before the son can say anything the old man has run out and grabbed his prodigal son and welcomes him home. And then throws a party! The older son who has been with Dad the whole time is furious that Dad would welcome this bum back and celebrate, especially since he has worked hard all this time. But Dad reminds the older son that he knows he has been faithful and everything that is here belongs to him now. But they are going to celebrate because this son and brother was considered dead…and now has come to life. He was lost to us and himself…but now is found.
The title we give to this story “The Prodigal Son” literally means the “wasteful” son. He had so much and he didn’t want that; he wanted what he thought was “more”. And he lost it all and nearly lost his life. But what had to have stunned the first listeners is the same thing that shocks me today. Why would this father, who was treated so badly by his son, be constantly looking for him on that road? And why would he welcome him? And
then give him new clothes and throw a party for him? It was because no matter what that son did, the father still loved him. And when he returned to the father, he could be welcomed and valued and have a place at the table in his father’s house. I get the brother’s attitude and response…the kid was a jerk. But the truth of the story is that’s who we all are. No matter how good, honorable or even religious we think we might be…we come to our heavenly father, broken, dirty, hungry and homeless. And the longer we stay away from him, the more of life we waste too. Never forget that God is always there to welcome you home during your journey on this earth. No matter what you have done, who you are, or what you have become…this father is looking down the road hungering for you to come home to him. As long as you have life, it is not too late for you or anyone else. And if you can let go of your pride and self-sufficiency and arrogance…that father in heaven is waiting to embrace you, clean you up and show you that you have a place at his table forever. It is not too late…your eternal father wants you to come home. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Luke 15:31-32 NLT “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. (32) 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!’”
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
The title we give to this story “The Prodigal Son” literally means the “wasteful” son. He had so much and he didn’t want that; he wanted what he thought was “more”. And he lost it all and nearly lost his life. But what had to have stunned the first listeners is the same thing that shocks me today. Why would this father, who was treated so badly by his son, be constantly looking for him on that road? And why would he welcome him? And
then give him new clothes and throw a party for him? It was because no matter what that son did, the father still loved him. And when he returned to the father, he could be welcomed and valued and have a place at the table in his father’s house. I get the brother’s attitude and response…the kid was a jerk. But the truth of the story is that’s who we all are. No matter how good, honorable or even religious we think we might be…we come to our heavenly father, broken, dirty, hungry and homeless. And the longer we stay away from him, the more of life we waste too. Never forget that God is always there to welcome you home during your journey on this earth. No matter what you have done, who you are, or what you have become…this father is looking down the road hungering for you to come home to him. As long as you have life, it is not too late for you or anyone else. And if you can let go of your pride and self-sufficiency and arrogance…that father in heaven is waiting to embrace you, clean you up and show you that you have a place at his table forever. It is not too late…your eternal father wants you to come home. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Luke 15:31-32 NLT “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. (32) 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!’”
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ