The Prodigal Son (Luke 15)

‘Prodigal’ = wasteful, wayward, lost the path… Can you relate?
 
Jesus tells a story about a ‘prodigal son’ (or daughter). This story is about you and me, and our relationship to our Father God. Here’s how it goes…
 
This son went to his father and took his inheritance early – in other words cashed out his father’s property and savings – and hit the road. He spent it recklessly on prostitutes, pornography, drink, drugs and popularity.
 
When hard times hit – and they always hit – this young man saw what was real. His money was gone, his friends, his pleasure, and he hungered physically and spiritually. He was destitute and lost. This son now had to consider and face his relationship with his father. He decided to venture home, to ask forgiveness for what he had done, and to ask for food and shelter and a job to do to earn it. He set out…
 
When he was near home, the father ran to meet him. He embraced him. He ordered that his servants bring this his son the very best clothes, jewelry, and to get ready a feast to celebrate his return. The father said, ‘My son was dead, but now he is alive!’ (Luke 15:24)
 
My friends, Jesus tells us this story to show us the heart that he has for us. Jesus gave us ‘life, breath and everything else’ (Acts 17:25), and we have all used this life – the resources that belong to Christ – on our own pleasure and dark desires. We now find ourselves full of regret, shame and hungry – physically and spiritually.
 
Through this story Jesus is calling us home. He is assuring us that if we come with a humble heart, acknowledging that we have sinned, have wandered from his path, he will run to meet us. He will embrace us and forgive us. He will reinstate us in his household as sons and daughters, and clothe us with dignity and beauty.
 
There is an incredible story of how God has made this ‘forgiveness’ possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But that story is not for right now. Right now, Jesus – with your name carved on the palm of his hand (Isaiah 49:16) – just calls you to come home with a repentant heart, and he will pour new life over you!
 
For more on ‘First Steps’ with Jesus Christ, please visit: https://1peter1three.weebly.com/first-steps.html

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