Lincoln Brewster - OxygenSample

Coming Home

Devotional for the song "Shout It Out"

The disciples asked Jesus, "Teach us to pray." His response to them is a step-by-step instruction in not just how to pray, but how to live. The third line in reads this way: Your kingdom come. Our lives as the sons and daughters of God are to reflect the coming kingdom of God. People ought to be able to look at our lives and say, "That's what the kingdom looks like." And if you like celebrations, then you're in luck because the kingdom of God is a party! What, you don't believe me? Well, stay with me a minute.

Of the parables Jesus taught, there is probably none more memorable than The Prodigal Son. Luke's gospel records this story for us about a father who had two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance early and takes off for the far country, where he squanders it all. The older son stays on the farm, so to speak, but he's just as lost as his younger brother. The thrust of the entire parable is both sons fully returning home to the love of their father. It's a beautiful picture of the kingdom of God.

When this reunion takes place, the father sees no other option but to bring out the best clothes, food and drink and strike up the band, and party. "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.

From reeking of death to brimming with life. From horribly lost to miraculously found. From stumbling in darkness to walking in the light. From being dazed and confused to coming to one's senses. From sulking outside to finally coming inside. From the isolation of far, far away to being embraced by the father's arms and hearing, "Welcome home!" In each of these dramatic movements, there is no more genuine response than to shout and sing and celebrate. It's a true picture of the journey of joy. Coming home at last.

You see, contrary to cynics everywhere, there really is such a thing as happily ever after. It's called the kingdom of God, and it's an eternal celebration quite literally paid for by the love of the generous Father for his children. And it's coming. Yes, it's coming.

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