Luke 15:11-24
"...While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him...."
(LUKE 15:20)
The holidays are coming, and with them comes time with family. But for many, "family" means broken relationships. They dread walking through that front door because inside, shame, abuse, and criticism are waiting.
No one dreaded going home more than the lost son in Jesus' parable. He knows he's wrecked the family fortune and offended his father immeasurably. He thinks, if I offer to be a servant, maybe I'll be taken in. If I just work really hard, maybe I can make up for the dishonor I brought to the family name.
Before he can even make it to the front door, his father comes running down the road to greet him. "Let's celebrate!" he cries. Quickly, he orders the best for his son: a robe, a ring, a feast. And he says nothing about his son's sins.
You have a home like this. In fact, you have an honored place there, because God has chosen you to receive His love and to share His wealth. You may feel your life is a wreck. But God, like the father in the parable, says, "Everything that I have is yours."
INSIGHT
IF YOU ARE HESITATING TO READ HIS WORD OR PRAY, REMEMBER YOUR HONORED PLACE. YOUR FATHER REJOICES TO HAVE YOU IN HIS FAMILY.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Jeremiah 45-46
Psalm 124
2 Corinthians 2-3
Luke 15:11-24
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “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. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20 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.
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.[a]’
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.
Footnotes:
a. Luke 15:21 Some early manuscripts son. Make me like one of your hired men.+
THE LIFE OF OSWALD CHAMBERS
He's famous for writing "My Utmost for His Highest," but have you ever heard the life story of Oswald Chambers? His story is one that every Christian should know.
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