The Prodigal's ReturnSýnishorn

Forgiveness

Randy Harmon

[Luke 15:21-24 MSG] “The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’ But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a prize-winning heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time.”

“Grown men don’t cry. ”That was one of the beliefs I remember from my early childhood. Men were supposed to be tough, stoic, and unaffected by emotion. In a similar way, in the culture of the prodigal, grown men didn’t run. It was considered undignified. God the Heavenly Father longs for the return of His wayward creation. He will not force us to return; but, He will give opportunity for repentance and renewal if we sinners choose that option. The bottom line is this, God was willing to endure humiliation in the form of a man in order to go to the cross and die in our place so we could be forgiven and reconciled to Him through the righteousness that becomes ours through Christ. You may think you are too far gone; that your guilt, sin, and rebellion are too great. The Father is waiting for you to come home. He is ready when you are. We have all loved a sinner, a child, mother, father, or spouse in a way that led us to do ridiculous things. The Father has done the most ridiculous thing. He made a way for the undeserving to receive what they could never deserve. He wants to celebrate your return. What are you waiting for?

I am not the father of this prodigal story, but I know some of what he felt. Watching someone you love wreck their life will bring you to your knees. You pray every day for the prodigal to turn their life around.

Father, let me live each day with thanksgiving for your unconditional love and the forgiveness that is found through your Son Jesus Christ. May I never lose sight of the significance of His love. Amen.