SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:11-24
Jesus is still dealing with the muttering Pharisees (Luke 15:1-2).
He moves from a lost sheep to a lost coin, and completes the trilogy with the lost son.
The religious leaders would have no difficulty recognizing who Jesus was talking about.
This sinful son was getting exactly what he deserved, he was suffering for his folly.
But Jesus twists the ending they anticipated, and instead of the father judging the son…
He shamelessly runs out and embraces his pig-smelling son, and doesn’t even let him finish his confession.
This is how God feels about ‘tax collectors and sinners’, He longs for our return.
It pains God to see us suffer, but He allows us the freedom to choose our folly.
But He never quits waiting and watching and hoping, looking for a sign of our return.
Think about someone you would classify as a ‘sinner’ who squanders their life in wild living.
Then think of God standing, watching, waiting, hoping… and finally running and rejoicing and celebrating.
God is waiting for us to come to our senses too.
For us to see that life apart from God, no matter how pleasing for the moment, will end up with the pigs.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are waiting for me, as well as for others I know who are holding back on You. We still think we can find what we’re looking for ‘out there’, away from You. Help us come to our senses.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observation/Application
The lost ‘sheep.’
The world looks so good. It did to the Israelites and it did to the son who told His Father to drop dead and demanded his inheritance. Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow . . .
The son repented and saw the error of his way and found his Way back home and the Father came running to accept him. He was waiting. He was anticipating. He was rejoicing over the lost sheep and celebrated. No matter what others thought.
The oldest son had never demanded anything – was part of the family – dutifully doing his duties but not heartily – like the religious leaders of the day. Going through the motions but no heart. He was really the prodigal.
God’s grace.
Total acceptance.
Celebrate.
Life everlasting.
Living with the Father.
Welcome home.
I need to turn my heart toward home each day anew and live for my Father in His presence listening to His voice saying ‘Christian, follow me.’
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk, till traveling days are done.