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Verse of the Day

²⁰ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

Luke 15:20 (NKJV)

Quote of the day

“When a man’s heart is set on mischief, he will go a long way in it; but when God’s grace brings him back, he will find a shorter way home.” 

– Matthew Henry

Reflection

The prodigal son is a parable about a young man who left his family and squandered his father’s inheritance. Most of us are familiar with it, and many of us have even lived it for a season. The beauty of it is that it offers us an example of hope. A hope that applies directly to our relationship with Jesus Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and God the Father’s loving embrace to those of us who may have strayed.

We often underestimate the significance of our sins in God’s eyes. Yet we also underestimate the extent of His unfathomable compassion, mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness (Romans 5:20-21). While we shouldn’t ever sin more because grace abounds, it’s unhealthy for us to lose sight of God’s approachability through our connection in Christ (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

There are segments in the story that demonstrate the prodigal’s belief that he had no hope of returning to his father’s house, much less to his father’s open arms. How many of us have felt, or even feel that way now, about our Heavenly Father? He made a really bad decision, squandered a lot of money, and turned his back on his family. But his father didn’t lose hope that one day he could return.

Finally, he returned, but only after he tried to remedy the situation himself. He went from living a comfortable life with his father to living a lifestyle of sin and perdition. He had to hit rock bottom before realizing that even his father’s servants lived a better lifestyle than he did at the time.

One key that is vital for us not to miss is in Luke 15:17-19:

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

Here we can see the humility with which he approached his father. He recognized what he did wrong in his father’s eyes and, in the grand scheme, how wrong it was in God’s eyes as well. But as today’s verse of the day clearly demonstrates, his earthly father didn’t see it that way. His father chose to celebrate him instead. He gave him his best robe and essentially called for a feast to commemorate his lost son’s return. It was so much so that the other son couldn’t wrap his head around it. His brother’s expressions of disbelief and even frustration about what was happening to him were apparent. Luke 15:28-30 demonstrates this understandable reaction:

28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

Some of us may look back and think of this as a self-righteous attitude, but if we’re honest with ourselves, many of us might feel the same way in a similar situation. Ultimately, the father explained his position in Luke 15:31-32: 

31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

What mattered was that he had come back, and the welcome wasn’t about merit. It hinged on the unconditional love of a father who desired what was best for both of his sons.

Application

As we consider it in the context of our lives, we can see the parallels between our Heavenly Father and us. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). There’s not one of us who is righteous outside the justification of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Matthew Henry’s quote reminds me that God lovingly calls His children back to Himself, no matter how far they wander (Isaiah 55:7).

We shouldn’t take this parable as a license to sin, much less as a pattern of persistent rebellion in our lives (Romans 6:1-4). However, I would venture to say the majority of us can relate to the prodigal son. When you think back to that season and how far away you felt from God, I hope you can find solace in how God brought you back. For some of us, maybe this is a reminder that we’re far too close to becoming prodigal sons and daughters again now.

Let’s not reach rock bottom before we run back to God. Why would we want to test the limits of grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God? If we are genuine believers, we will bear real fruit in our lives (John 15:4-5). If the fruit of the Spirit isn’t apparent in our lives, it is our duty to figure out why (Galatians 5:22-23). We must test ourselves to see if we’re truly saved (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Do you feel closer to God today than you were a month ago, a year ago, or even a decade ago? Is God helping you grow, conquer habitual sin, defeat addiction, treat people better, and draw closer to Him? Do you see consistent spiritual discipline when it comes to reading the Bible, prayer time, and a distinct desire to worship God?

I don’t think anyone can claim to have any of these areas figured out without at least some margin for improvement, much less all of them. It’s not about obtaining complete mastery of every discipline and layer of obedience. The real question is: Can we find a clear display that things are moving in the right direction? 

My hope for all of us today is that we would look at the parable and reflect on our walks with God. Even when we think we’re in a good place, it’s easy to let pride or over-reliance on self rather than on God creep in. Even knowledge itself is capable of puffing us up to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to (1 Corinthians 8:1-3). 

Actively pursuing a stance of humility in God’s eyes and seeing a true reflection of our sinfulness is essential (James 4:6, Romans 3:10-12). It reminds us that we cannot meet God’s standards on our own (Proverbs 3:5-6). Our reliance on Jesus Christ for salvation and victory over sin and death is crucial (John 14:6). Without Him, we are nothing, but with Him, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

Today’s passage is not a guilt trip, but it’s a spiritual call to arms to remember that we are fallible. I know I, for one, must ask for forgiveness over sin and request a renewed desire to repent almost every day regarding all sorts of sin (Romans 7:18-20, 1 John 1:9).

I am thankful that, although I have a fallen nature, Jesus Christ has justified me and that I am on the path of sanctification. As God transforms me to look more and more like His Son, Jesus Christ, I want to continue to rely on Him to conquer every sin, including sinful habits, addictions, and even strongholds, through my lifetime. Without His grace, there is no hope. 

Thank God for His wide open arms. Run back to Him today if you don’t already find yourself underneath the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8, Psalm 91:4).

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You, Father, for Your wide open arms. Despite my countless sins, You have seen it fit to embrace me back into the fold. I know that I cannot lose my salvation, that Your love is unfathomable, that Your grace abounds, and that Your forgiveness is plentiful. 

But with all that in mind, I don’t desire for it to lead me to complacency and sin against You. On the contrary, I want to recognize that righteousness is achievable as you enable me to obey You. Please help me to love You with all my heart, body, mind, soul, and strength. After all, Your Word tells me that those who love You obey Your commandments.

Thank You for transforming my mind, healing my body, and restoring my soul. Sometimes I feel like the prodigal son in at least one, if not multiple, areas of my life. I don’t want to minimize such disobedience as minor. I want to fight sin and repent aggressively by relying on Jesus Christ.

Thank You for Your provision throughout my life and for leading me by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your Son’s presence in my life. 

Finally, thank You for never abandoning me or forsaking me, but for welcoming me back into the fold after every compromise I have ever made or will ever make.

I pray in Jesus Christ’s precious, holy, and mighty name.

Amen.