“But when he came to himself (his senses), he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ‘ “And he arose and came to His father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. Luke 15:17-23
The story of the prodigal son is intriguing because it mirrors God’s view of us. His eyes are always fixed on the crest of the hill, longing to see us coming from afar over the horizon and walking closer to Him. The prodigal remembered his Father when he had spent his all. God isn’t the least bit concerned about whether your worthy to return to Him, although it’s natural for us think and feel that way. Twice in our text, the prodigal mentions that his sin was against heaven first, and then before his Father. The son was certain that his sinful lifestyle made him unworthy to be called his father’s son. But the father in the story, like our Father in heaven, quickly brushed that aside. “What’s all this talk about worthiness? You’re back! That’s all that matters!” He slipped a ring on his son’s hand clothed him with a clean garment robe, and even included new sandals for his feet. Their relationship was restored instantly. No paybacks. No shame. No looking back!
There is a magnificent attribute of God that sets Him apart from any other false god invented by men, He is not indifferent or hostile with our inability to live righteously before Him, but like a Savior by nature, longing to see sinners repent and rejoicing to restore all that was lost and dead in sin, but now is alive and born again. God gives to us all things richly to enjoy, and in our youth heaps precious treasures of assurance upon us. But God must be remembered during even the good times and not taken for granted His grace filled blessings. Without a single word of rebuke, for the past, the father pours out his love for the son, and expresses his joy that what was lost had now been found. And each of the father’s gifts said something unique about his acceptance of the son: Robe: Reserved for the guest of honor. Ring: A symbol of authority. Sandals: These were not given nor worn by slaves, and therefore signified his full restoration to sonship.
Beloved friend, Ask your yourself these questions: Am I able to learn from good things or just from bad experiences? What lessons would be less painful if I were more attentive to God when life is going well? The prodigal could have benefitted had he remembered gratefully, with increasing understanding of his Father’s love and care. And so can we.
May the Lord bless your walk with Him!
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.