Luke 15: 11-31
verse 31: “‘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.’”
This is such a familiar parable. It always evokes feelings in me, and I always end up having to rethink things. I can feel my “unfair” button being pushed when I identify with the older son. But once again, the story is not about the older son. It is not a story about comparing two lives, or two sons, or a father choosing one son over another. It is a story about repentance and about a lost soul returning to safety. I know I want everyone to have a relationship with God. If it is at their last second of life, or even after death, I would never begrudge anyone the opportunity to know and accept Jesus. My life with God is my gift of grace. It is not meant to be compared with anyone else‘s. If I do compare, I know it is not helpful or meaningful, and does not please God.
Father God, you have chosen me to follow you. I am so thankful, and will do my best to show your love to others. Amen
Becky, transforming
2021-0319 Friday, Daily Devotion - Luke 15:22-24
Luke 15:22-24 (NIV) 22 “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. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
I like the title of the book, The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller. He described God as a father who has Prodigal/lavish with His love for us such as the second son. He is patient, generous, and waiting for the coming back of his…
Luke 15:11-32. The Prodigal Son Most of us are very familiar with this story. It is one of many stories or Parables in Luke with a similar theme. I would like to focus of the end of the story. Most of us know that the father in the story is God. The God who loves and forgives us; we need only ask as the son did. No requirement, just ask. How simple. As humans, however, we are more like the older brother. Bitter, jealous, and resentful of that easy forgiveness. We often find forgiveness very difficult. If only we could realize that forgiveness frees us from bitterness and brings release and joy. Our Father understood this. We are still learnin…
Luke 15:11-32
The parable of the Prodigal Son, is a empowering lesson of God’s unending love and mercy for the repentant sinner. The lesson for me today : I can be absolutely sure of God’s mercy and forgiveness provided I repend to him in true sorrow. I need to have the same attitude of compassion with people who offend me.(not easy for me) I must be ready to forgive. I cannot refuse to love someone that God loves. There are three people in this story and I can identify with each one of them: The son who went far from his Father and followed his own way, showing arrogant disregard for his father as head of the family. The s…
Luke 15: 11-32
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
This is an example of how God gets ahold of the heart of the sinner. The son is repentant and turns away from sin and came home to the Father. As we humans recognize sin and repent, we are turning away from sin and coming home to God. The son admits he sinned against God and his family. We may hurt our family and friends because we are broken people. Jesus knows this and just wants us to come home to him. As sinful as I am I know Jesus lo…
Luke 15:21-22 - “Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.’”
If one looks back at verse 19 it can be seen that the prodigal son did not even get to finish his prepared speech for his father, laying out what he thought would be fair terms of his return after squandering so much. It was more than enough for the father to see his son return and express repentance. For this there was…