Last night at our Student ministry camp the speaker spoke on one of my favorite parables, the story of the prodigal son.  The speaker reminded us all that we are all the son in the story and God is the Father.  Let’s take a look at the story in Jesus’ own words found in Luke 15.

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 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.

There is so much that I find amazing in this story.  No matter how poorly the son treated the Father, the Father was waiting and ready to receive the son back and embrace him.  The son wasn’t treated like less than because of his rebellion.  Instead the son was celebrated for his return.  The Father actually ran to the son before he even had a chance to apologize and embraced him.  The Father restores the son and has everyone join in celebrating his return.  This is truly a picture of how God treats us.  Despite our rebellion and choosing our way instead of God’s way again and again God embraces us with His love and grace.  Today take some time reflecting on our own rebellion and God’s incredible grace.  Perhaps our response will be to live a life of pointing others to Jesus, the source of all love and grace.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave