Come Home!

 

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20-24 ESV).

 

Perhaps it’s because I have three sons that I favor this parable found in Luke’s Gospel. It is certainly a very powerful parable. It illustrates grace and forgiveness so well. Jesus told this story so that we could learn more about his Father—the God of love, patience, and forgiveness. He’s also the God who “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16). He’s the heavenly Father filled with compassion for his lost children. It’s a loving father who’ll provide an inheritance that is normally given only upon death. It’s a patient father who watches for a wayward child to return home. It’s a forgiving father who restores a son’s dignity with a robe, ring, and sandals—signs of sonship, of belonging. It’s a joy-filled father who celebrates with feasting and dancing.

 

God’s love for us is demonstrated further as we see the father reaching out patiently to an angry older brother. He wants him to join the family party. After all, “this brother of yours was dead and is alive again.” There’s reason to celebrate—all the children are home!

 

Whether we’ve been lost or always at home, our heavenly Father delights in calling us his children. Our God is a faithful Father to his Son, Jesus, and to all the brothers and sisters invited to join the grand, eternal celebration of his love and forgiveness. Regardless of where you’ve been or what you’ve done, your heavenly Father waits for you to show His compassion and grace toward you. Come home!