Jesus made a statement, recorded in Luke 19 - that’s drilled down on and expanded upon in Luke 15 - it is a declaration of Jesus’ mindset and focus - captures his heart & his mission:

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19:10

In Luke 15 - Jesus tells 3 key parables or stories that describe God's heart and what he's really like. This comes off of understanding verses 1-2 that are driving why he tells these stories.

Luke 15:11
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons."

We’ve gone from 1 / 100 sheep -to- 1/10 coins to now 2 sons
The stakes are escalating… we’ve gone from livestock, to material things to the most important - human relationships… the stakes are getting higher as Jesus continues to tell these stories in order to push back against the narrative and understanding of how do we truly understand what God’s heart is like?

This story is usually referred to as “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.”

According to the Dictionary, the word “prodigal” means: “One who spends lavishly…spending freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.”

2 Sons (and 2 pairs of shoes)
1 reaches for his track shoes - to run away
1 reaches for his work boots - to work away

*both end up ‘away’ from the Father relationally...

READ Luke 15:11-24

Quote:
Our addictions make us cling to what the world proclaims as the keys to self-fulfillment: accumulation of wealth and power; attainment of status and admiration; lavish consumption of food and drink; and sexual gratification without distinguishing between lust and love. The addicted life can aptly be designated a life lived in "a distant country." Beneath it all is the great rebellion, the unspoken curse: "I wish you were dead." -Henri Nouwen

The younger son ‘came to his senses’

It was the beginning marks of a posture of heart, a place of repentance.
Sure his repentance at first was NOT full reconciliation with the Father, it was just to be around and have his situation/circumstances be better — but the FATHER’S heart is always about restoration, reconciliation or relationship.
REPENTANCE is such a powerful activity at the heart of Christianity. It's meant to have an ongoing rhythm and practice...

see Psalm 139:23-24

We not only have a God who SEEKS us - but a God who SEES us.

The heart of our Father is one always with an eye toward the horizon awaiting the one who ‘comes to his senses’ and begins to turn homeward…

There’s nowhere we can go where we’re out of the sight, memory and the heart of God. We’re never too far gone to be forgotten… (see Psalm 139:1-10)

You can always run to God when you’re lost…Lost and Found is kinda what God is really good at.

Quote:
“The prerequisite for receiving the grace of God is to know you need it.” ― Timothy J. Keller

We'll see you back at Elements next weekend as we continue in our series and worship together. Join us in-person at the church campus or online Sunday at 5pm.
Have a blessed week friends!!