- But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him…Luke 15:28 – This chapter holds one of the more well-known stories of the Gospels, the prodigal son. There a son took his portion of the inheritance, before his dad was even dead mind you, and wastes it on sin. After realizing the fool he was, he returns home, not expecting to be forgiven and brought in, but possibly hired on as a servant. Yet we see the beauty of this passage by how the dad responds. Seeing his lost son coming home, he rushes out, welcomes him home, and throws a big party to celebrate. Thing is there were two sons, another son that remained home and lived faithfully for the father all this time. When he heard the party and why the party was happening, he was embittered and wouldn’t come in. Notice though what the father did…exactly what he did for the other son. The father came out to him. Both were in sin, while one’s sin was far more obvious, the other’s sin of bitterness and envy and unforgiveness was just as ugly. Yet the father came out to both sons to bring them into his house. This is the heart of this chapter, of how the Lord seeks out the lost to bring them home. If you’re like the first brother who was deep in obvious sin, Jesus is coming to you and welcoming you home. If you are like the second brother who was deep in less than obvious but just as deadly sin, Jesus is coming to you and welcoming you home. Don’t let the fact that your sin isn’t as obviously sinful deceive you in to thinking you are already home. The sin of pride can get us into Hell just as fast as the sin of murder. We all need Jesus, and thankfully He is coming for His lost sheep. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3544
- I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. Luke 15:19 – Our sin doesn’t get in the way of our chance of sonship. It’s easy to think our sin is too great for us to come to God. Maybe we tell ourselves that or maybe you’ve come across some misguided Christians who have told you you’re too messed up for God. Rather than listening to them, or yourself, hear what scripture says. This guy really messed up his life, came back home, and found a loving, forgiving father who welcomed back as a son. Know God is even more loving than the father in the story. Your past doesn’t close off the path for you to come to God. If you want His forgiveness, it is always available to you and always will be. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 620
- And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” Luke 15:31-32 – These two verses come at the end of the parable of the prodigal son. The older brother, the one who stayed serving the father all these years, is frustrated that his reckless brother is getting such a celebration when he had been with the father this whole time and never got anything like this done for him. One takeaway from this passage is that we check our heart over how we feel about people coming into a relationship with God the Father. We should rejoice when any who were dead and lost come to the Father. That includes the people that have hurt us, abandoned us, are different than us, and in our minds are “undeserving” of grace and forgiveness. Rather than be bitter when such an individual comes to the Father, let’s rejoice. A second takeaway is let’s remember that our inheritance doesn’t change just because “little brother” came back home. When another person places their faith in Jesus, your inheritance of life, Heaven, and relationship with the Father doesn’t change. It’s not having to be split once again because now there is another believer in Jesus in the picture. All the Father can give is given to us as His children. So yes, rejoice when they follow Jesus. They may have hurt you deeply, but them stepping into the salvation of Jesus should be what our heart longs for regardless of our history with them. Be praying right now that your heart would always be one to celebrate salvation. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2332
