One of the greatest parables Jesus told, the one that speaks to and as spoken to millions upon millions of hearts is the story of the prodigal son. Here we see an ungrateful, uncaring, selfish young man ask his father to give him his inheritance now. At that time, asking a living parent to give you the inheritance due you was akin to telling them you wish they were already dead. Can you imagine the hurt and sorrow this young man caused his father? I can just picture the hurt in his eyes when he realized his son cared more for the dad's money than the dad himself. Couple that with what the Father knew the young man would do with the money, knowing the pain and disappointment it would bring his son....this man must have been devastated.
But that's not the end of the story! Eventually the son realizes the disgusting consequences his decision has brought him, and he turns toward home again. And in case you've never seen this part when reading....the father was looking for him, waiting for him...because when he saw the son far off, he ran to greet his wayward child. I don't believe the dad just happened to see his child down the road. He was watching and waiting for the son's return. Here we get the happily ever after. The father clothes him in the finest robe, gives him a ring, some new shoes and throws a massive party!
So right after I finished the repentance entry last week I read one of my devotionals. And I bet you can guess what it was on...yup, repentance! God sure does press His point when He knows how important it is for us. The opening statement from this devotion was from Isaiah 61:10....For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness....
You see our heavenly Father is just like the dad in the parable. He awaits our return, ready to clothe us in His own righteousness, ready to welcome us back with open arms and open heart to celebrate our coming home.
No matter how far down we sink, no matter how far away we've run....God still watches for us to turn back to Him. His love never ceases. He doesn't ask us to hate ourselves, to do some great acts of penance...He asks us to come. Turn and return to Him. His arms are always open.
I love this story. I've been the prodigal. I've been a selfish, uncaring, angry, low living, doing anything but following Jesus kind of person. Now, I can wallow in the regret of that life....or I can rejoice that I am made new, clothed in Jesus' own righteousness. 2 Corinthian 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. And when I slip into (or even sometimes jump into) sin now, I can quickly repent and come back to my Father's loving arms. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Maybe this stuff is basic for some. But I need to hear it. I need to be reminded of how loved I truly am. I need to remember what I was and how much was done for me. I need to be lifted up, reminded my guilt has been washed away, I need not live in the filth of regret. Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Hallelujah! We are forgiven.
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
Lord, thank You for repentance...You work it in our hearts. Thank You for forgiveness, you offer it so freely because of love. Thank You for the righteousness You have given, You brought it with Your blood....we are so beyond blessed...I have no words. Thank You!!
Meditate on the verses here that speak to your heart. Let His love and forgiveness wash over your soul today.
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