The Comeback Part 1Намуна

Title: "The Father’s Arms are Open Wide!"

Day 1 you read about the perspective of the son in Luke 15, but today I want to focus on the father’s perspective. The story of the prodigal son is one that deserves multiple perspectives.

I love the parable of the prodigal son and something so beautiful about this parable is that it emphasizes the graciousness of the father more than the sinfulness of the son.

This man had two sons and the younger son asked his father for his portion of the inheritance then he took all of his money and left his father’s house. He went to a distant land and the Bible says he blew all his money on wild living. This young man had everything he needed at home but it wasn’t good enough. He wanted to do things his own way and it led him to destruction and desperation.

Of course the father wanted what was best for his son, and he knew this was not a good decision but he couldn’t force his son to stay home. True love is never forced, and the father understood this. As much as it must have pained this man, he had to let his son go.

Not only did this young man blow all his money but a famine hit the land and he had nothing. No money, no food and no job. He found a local farmer that hired him to feed pigs. He was so desperate and hungry that even the pig's food looked good to him.

I don’t know about you but I don’t look at any animal food with desire. This image shows how desperate this young man really was.

Suddenly it dawned on him… “I’ll go back to my father’s house and offer to be a servant.” He knew that being in the lowest position in his father’s house was better than anything the world had to offer.

When the son returned, he confessed his sins and humbled himself saying “I am not worthy”.

But his father would not receive him as a servant. Rather, his father told his servant to bring the best robe, put a ring on his son’s finger and sandals on his feet. He said “Let’s have a feast and celebrate ... .this son of mine was lost but now he is found.”

I picture this father waiting and waiting for years. I see an image of him going out to the field and looking day after day waiting for the day his son decides to come back home. He was waiting and he was ready to receive his son. Oh, the joy he must have felt to see his son coming in the distance.

To be lost means to be out of place. This young man did not belong in a pig’s pen. He belonged in a Kingdom with his father…we belong with the Father!

When we repent and turn away from sin and go back to our Heavenly Father, we are not worthy, BUT God does not give us what we deserve, He gives us what He desires.

One of God’s goals is for us to desire Him, obey His commands and completely surrender to Him. Our job is to repent, recognize our sin, turn from it and come back to God and when we do, He will be right there waiting to embrace us full of compassion. Even with all of our mess and mistakes, His arms are open wide!

Heaven rejoices over just ONE!

Come back! The Father is waiting!

- Venessa Baker