Good Monday morning everyone. Last week we read about the teaching again about the Prodigal son and the Loving Father. Let’s take this one home today. He has such a good word for us today.
We will start today as the son begins to see what his life is really looking like. He knows he’s blown it, when he realizes all his money is gone, and now there is a famine in the land and none of his so-called friends are there to help. He “comes to himself” the scripture says in Luke 15 verse 17:
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”
When we realize our life is not our own, we begin to think differently and are willing to lay down our pride and self-centeredness. The son could not see past his mistakes and failures and thought he could never be a “son” again, but now we begin to see God’s truth and His heart when He is thinking about us.
You cannot get rid of self through self. You must focus on another, JESUS!
In verse 20:
But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
Luke 15:20 NKJ
The father not only saw his son a far off physically, but he saw him coming home by faith. He already had the fattened calf ready for his son’s return. Did you know that Jesus is the fatted calf, the sacrifice for all that had been done? Jesus is the unseen redeemer in the story, He is the fatted calf ready to not to cover sins but to forgive and restore the son to his rightful place in his father’s house.
See the Father’s restoration to His son – He calls for several things to give him the picture of full sonship!
- Robe – righteousness
- Ring – authority
- Sandals – were only worn by sons, not servants.
I know there are some Christians out there that get mad to think that God our Father would forgive sins and rebellion after someone has been born again, but that’s because they don’t truly understand what Jesus’ sacrifice did for us all at the cross. He forgave us of all sin, past, present and even future sins. Some may argue that God cannot forgive future sins, but let’s pray He does, because every sin you ever committed in your life was all future when Jesus died and completed the finished work of the cross for all and for all time. You weren’t even born yet when He died, went to hell as our substitute, rose again and now sit at the right hand of the Father ever living to intercede for us! Hebrews 7:25.
Hallelujah, what a Savior, what love the Father has shown us. If you are the other son who was mad and upset about the forgiveness, see the Father’s compassion on you as He whispers to your heart; son/daughter, all I have is yours, you once were lost and dead also, but now are found and alive. Let’s rejoice today and tell the brothers and sisters who have gone astray for whatever reasons, that their Heavenly Father is not mad at them, but sees them afar off coming home and has already prepared the celebration! Oh, how He loves you and me.
Remember, you are Loved, you are Righteous, and you are His!