HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”
This story is one of the most well-known parables of Jesus. It is rich and full of meaning. Each character in the story—the father, the younger son, and the older son—have valuable lessons to teach us. We don’t have time in this thought to explore all the characters and all the lessons, so I want to focus on only one: the father. The loving, patient, forgiving father in the story represents our heavenly Father. Jesus paints for us a picture of a God who never gives up, who is constantly watching and waiting for His lost children to return, and who joyfully forgives us and takes us back when we do. While He certainly does not condone the sinful paths that we might choose from time to time, He never stops loving us. If I as a sinner “come to myself” and am willing to go to Him in humility and with a repentant heart, He is there to wrap His arms of love around me and restore me to my place as His child. What a beautiful picture of the mercy and love of God, and what a powerful message that needs to be heard by our world today.
This thought focused on the father, but what lessons do you see in the two sons?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
