Luke 15 "My Son Was Lost And Now He is Found!"


17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
This is my favorite parable in the New Testament.  The basic jist is a father's youngest son asks for his inheritance early, and
 goes out and spends it on reckless living.  It would be sort of like a person going to college on their parent's money and by senior year all they had done was partied for four years straight wiith nothing but a drinking problem to show for it.  
In this case after the son loses everything and is tending pigs for minimum wage and eating hamhocks, it says he "came to his senses".  Literally he had a change of mind, maybe because he was hungry and out of cash.  Whatever the case, he begins his long trek anticipating the disappointment of his father and shame of blowing the family money.  
As he journeyed home he rehearsed what he would say to his father.  He prepared his apology and admitting his sin against his heavenly and earthly father.  But here is where the story gets good.  Instead of the father rubbing his hands waiting to lay into his son, the passage says that his father was scanning the horizon waiting for his son to return home.  When he sees the son he runs out to meet him and throws his arms around and kisses him. The son was waiting for his punishment, but instead dad throws him a party and brings out the fatted calf reserved for big celebrations.  He puts the best robe on him, new sandals and a ring.  All signs of the father's favor.  The story closes with the father saying, "We must celebrate for my son was lost but now he is found!"
Jesus told this story to illustrate God the Father's great love.  Instead of giving the son what he deserved, a tongue lashing, he gave him a feast.  It was unmerited favor.  It was amazing grace.  It was a parent's unconditional love.  And my favorite part is the father scanning the horizon spotting the son and running out to meet him.  This is a great image of our loving and compassionate God.  Though we squandered and wandered from God he has always waited for us waiting for us to come home.  And when we make a move toward him, He runs to meet us and throw his arms around us!  If you are far from God turn to him, He loves you and wants you to come home.  If you know someone who is far from God share this post with them!    

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