The Story of the Prodigal Father

Genesis 37; Genesis 38; Psalm 7; Luke 15
Click Here To Read Today’s Daily Bible Reading

Scripture

The Parable of the Lost Son

Luke 15

11 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 men 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 men.' 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.
25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

31 " 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

Observation

This story has been called the story of the Prodigal Son, but it is really a story of a Prodigal Father. Yes while it is true the young son wasted his father’s money on all the wrong things prostitutes and partying, and yes he lavished his father’s money on all the wrong things. And yes he was extravagant and wasteful but look what the father did he lavished extravagant love and attention on a son that didn’t deserve it.

When the son returned to him after wasting all of his inheritance the Father poured out his love and affection toward this scoundrel of a son. "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. 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”

That is how the Heavenly Father feels about every one of us that turn from our lives of sin and self and turn to Him. When we come to our senses like the prodigal son did we are welcomed into the arms of our Extravagant Heavenly Father who lavishes his love on us.

Application

I learned last night in our small group study that I need to be a 3D Christ-Follower: 1. Develop friendships 2. Discover stories 3. Discern next steps.

I need to be intentional about developing deep friendships with people that are far from God. I need to take time to get to know about them. Then I need to discern what are the next steps to help them in their journey toward God!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be extravagant in my love toward people in my life that don’t deserve it. I didn’t deserve it when you opened up your arms to welcome me as your son. I don’t deserve the love that you pour out and lavish on me every day. Help me live out the 3D’s and bring people closer to you. Psalm 7:17 “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” Amen.


Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!