Scripture:
"And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And 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 servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate." (Luke 15:20-23)
Reading:
Is God thankful? God is Creator and Sustainer of all things, so for what would He be thankful?
In Luke 15, the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son represent you. God is represented by the shepherd, the woman, and the father, who are not content moving on with the other ninety-nine sheep, the other nine coins, and the other son, until what was lost is found. These lost things are valuable to the owners.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
To be separate from God is not only reckless, but it also equates death. There is no hope for spiritual safety. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) The consequence of disregarding God is eventual spiritual starvation; slowly living to die.
God honors our choice even if we are determined to wander off to a "far country." I know from personal experience that such insane thinking inevitably leads to soul sickness: feeling unworthy, alone, lost. Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)
This is how God brings us home to Himself. "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20)
With a passionate mix of love and pity, the Lord Jesus covers the chasm we cannot and races to cover sin-slicked people with Himself. He clothes us with the best robe, His robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). He cuts off any plea we may have prepared and instead calls for a celebratory feast, a feast of thankfulness.
You see, “...for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’” (Luke 15:24) Can you imagine this realization? The unrestrained love, elation, and thankfulness the Lord feels over every person restored safe and sound to Him. It is no wonder “…there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
Jesus pleads with us, the rebellious and the religious, to respond, to return, to reconcile to the Father. God looks for you so that He may affirm your worth and value, because He is where you rightfully belong. God is exorbitantly thankful for you, beloved one.
Application:
1. Maintain a daily time of reflection and repentance. You will experience increased freedom from sin and peace as a result.
2. What is God revealing about His thoughts and actions toward you in Luke 15? Visualize what He reveals.
Prayer:
Father God, Your extravagant love for me is beyond all reasoning! I celebrate You with a heart full of thankfulness. Your Word says that You are acquainted with all my ways, and that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank You! Holy Spirit, please lead me to repent of any sin keeping me from experiencing my Heavenly Father’s embrace. It is in Jesus Christ’s name that I pray. Amen.