Luke 15:11-24
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:11-24 (NIV)
The reading for today is familiar to us as the parable of the lost son. I was curious as to why this devotional ended with the father's jubilant celebration of his youngest son returning to his fold and didn't include the reaction of the oldest son in the verses that follow. I realized that this part of the story is all about us and God's never ending mercy. The rest of the story focuses on a totally different subject.
We, like the wayward son, struggle to believe that someone, anyone, would be so forgiving and filled with grace as to forgive our most heinous wrongdoings and welcome us with open arms when we return to Him. Yet there He is, reaching for us like in Michelangelo's painting "The Creation of Adam". His forgiveness is without bounds; his mercy endures forever.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch; like me
I once was lost but now, am found
Was blind but now I see.
Questions for Reflection:
- Which is harder to imagine, God's forgiveness of my own or other's sins? Why is that?
- What do you imagine the celebration in heaven will be like when you get there?
Prayer:
Forgiving and loving Father, You wait for us with open arms to turn toward you. We ache for your comfort and love. Help us to lose ourselves in You. May we always be reminded that your heart yearns for our return no matter how far we have strayed. With gratefulness and love, we implore you. Amen
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