Coming Home to the Father’s Love - Your Nightly Scripture - September 13th
Share
Coming Home to the Father's Love
Evening Scripture
Luke, Chapter 15
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 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.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Evening Reflection
The parable of the Prodigal Son, as it is commonly called, is one of the most profound teachings in Scripture. Yet its truth is one we often miss. We tend to focus too much on the prodigal, the wayward child. We describe his insult to his Father, the lure of dissolute living, and his decision to run away from home. But this wonderful parable is not about the child at all; it is about the loving Father. Jesus tells a story of a father, who despite the insult and rejection received from both of his children, longs to receive them into his home.
Both children reject the Father. The younger child squanders his inheritance, parties hard, and loses everything. He comes home in disgrace, believing himself to be no more worthy than a common slave.
The older child, the dutiful one, is no better. He clearly distains his Father, stating that he sees him as an enslaving tyrant. Both children live in a state of distance from their grace-filled Father.
But to these children, the Father acts in astounding love. Instead of rejecting the children – something that would have been seen as culturally appropriate, he receives them. Instead of lambasting them, he loves upon them. And even though they are far off, standing in darkness, the Father goes out to meet them. To the younger child while he was still on the road, and to the elder while he stands in the darkness.
What this Scripture teaches us is that no matter what has transpired in our lives, or how many times we have rejected God’s presence, Our lord comes to meet us. God forgives our sin, wraps us in robes of grace, and welcomes us into his eternal home. Our heavenly Father is rich in love, and abounding in mercy. All you need to do is be willing to come home.
Evening Prayer
Gracious Father,
There are simply no words to describe your lovingkindness. I cannot fathom how deep your mercy is, as you willingly come to me despite all the twists and turns of my life. When I am faithless, you O God remain faithful. When I reject you, you refuse to reject me. Always you make the invitation for me to come and dwell in the house of your eternal love.
Lord, in this moment, I turn to you. I place before you any wandering I have done, any sin I have committed, trusting that your grace covers all. As you received the prodigal, Lord Jesus, please receive me, and help me to live as your precious and beloved child.
This I pray in the name of Jesus,
Amen.
How did tonight’s scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture forum discussion.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/belchonock
Related Resource: Battle Plan Prayer Guide
For anyone facing a battle they weren't prepared for and didn't know was coming. Inside the Battle Plan, you’ll walk through the same prayer pattern that’s carried me through some of the hardest seasons of my life. Just click below to get your FREE Battle Plan prayer guide.
