The Prodigal Son, part two

Luke 15:17-32

Then when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have enough food, and, even food to spare, but I am perishing (dying) here of hunger!

I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; just make me like one of your hired servants.

The key here is that he recognized that he had sinned, and came to a place of repentance.

There are many times in our lives where we will fall away in one way or another...even if it is relatively minor. The most important thing we can do when we come to our senses is to REPENT!

So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness for him; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him fervently.

And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son [I no longer deserve to be recognized as a son of yours]!

First he repented in his heart. Now, he takes it a step further, and goes to his father and asks for forgiveness.

We need to take our sins and mistakes to the throne and ASK God to cleanse us. And when we have wronged or hurt another, we need to ASK for their forgiveness.

The key here is the ACTION of repentance.

But the father said to his bond servants, Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet.

And bring out that fattened calf and kill it; and let us revel and feast and be happy and make merry,

Because this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to revel and feast and make merry.

His Daddy was HAPPY to have him back home. The fact that he messed up was NOT what he was thinking about. His beloved son had returned! He wanted to throw a party and celebrate!

It's the same for us. When we go to our Daddy God with a repentant heart, He is quick to forgive. And when we have fallen away, and find our way back to Him...He throws a party in Heaven, and ALL the angels rejoice!

But his older son was in the field; and as he returned and came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

And having called one of the servant boys to him, he began to ask what this meant.

And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed that fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and well.

But the elder brother was angry with deep-seated wrath and resolved not to go in. Then his father came out and began to plead with him,

But he answered his father, Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never disobeyed your command. Yet you never gave me so much as a little kid, that I might revel and feast and be happy and make merry with my friends;

But when this son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you have killed for him that fattened calf!

And the father said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

But it was fitting to make merry, to revel and feast and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!

There will always be those that are judgemental. Those who think they are not quite as bad a sinner as you. Those who are filled with jealousy and pride.

You must shrug them off, and KNOW that Daddy loves you. And He does NOT play favorites!

Let's Pray,

Daddy God, thank You so much for Your love and forgiveness. Thank You for making a way for me to be able to come boldly before You. I love You, Lord. I love You, and I want nothing more than to be with You and know You. Thank You for loving me FIRST! In Jesus MIghty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,
Lara ;)