Week 1
I start with this parable of Jesus so that we can better understand all of the Bible. In this one
story, Jesus gives us a clear picture of God’s heart for us. In the beginning of this story (Luke
15:11-19) a father has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance, which basically
means, “Father, I wish you were dead so I can go and do what I want with your money.” The
father gives him the money, which seems a little far-fetched. Yet, that is exactly what God does
with us. He blessed our lives with a rich inheritance, and we go off and do what we want without
listening to him (it is called sin.) The younger son goes off and squanders the inheritance (which
is what we often do as well.) The lad falls upon hard times and has no food to eat and no friends
to help or comfort him. In his despair, he realizes how good he had it at home and decides to go
home.
Now in the Jewish community, to have such a son would be a disgrace. It is likely he would live in disgrace the rest of his life. It is also possible that this son would never be allowed to return to the family. But Jesus tells us that this is not what God is like.
Now in the Jewish community, to have such a son would be a disgrace. It is likely he would live in disgrace the rest of his life. It is also possible that this son would never be allowed to return to the family. But Jesus tells us that this is not what God is like.
Luke 15:20-24 (NIV)
[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.' [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.
[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.' [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.
God longs to be with his children – even those who do not listen to him and squander the
inheritance. But this is a parable about two sons. The older son returns home from work after all
this takes place and finds a party being thrown for his no-good brother. He is furious and refuses
to go into the house. He has stayed home, obeyed his father, but never once got a party like this.
Perhaps he is angered by the thought that he might have to give up part of his inheritance to
bankroll his brother again. We find the father, going out again, for the older son who remained
at home and is also lost. Even though he worked for his father all of this time, he never really
found the true inheritance of just being with the father.
That’s what Jesus wants us to know about God. Whether we have run away or stayed at home and dutifully served him, he just wants to be with us. And he will go to extreme measures (dying on a cross through Jesus) to invite us back to him. It does not matter which son represents your life right now. The question is, are you willing to go inside the house and live with your heavenly Father? He is inviting you to join him right now.
Time of Prayer:
1) 1 min – What is God saying to me through this devotional?
2) 1 min – What am I going to do about it?
3) 1 min – What do I want to say to God?
4) 2 min – Listen for what God wants to say to you now.
That’s what Jesus wants us to know about God. Whether we have run away or stayed at home and dutifully served him, he just wants to be with us. And he will go to extreme measures (dying on a cross through Jesus) to invite us back to him. It does not matter which son represents your life right now. The question is, are you willing to go inside the house and live with your heavenly Father? He is inviting you to join him right now.
Time of Prayer:
1) 1 min – What is God saying to me through this devotional?
2) 1 min – What am I going to do about it?
3) 1 min – What do I want to say to God?
4) 2 min – Listen for what God wants to say to you now.