Devotionals: God Forgives (June 19th)

Restore: God Forgives

June 19, 2011

Helpful Readings for the Week

Read Luke 15:11-16

Read Luke 15:17-19

Read Luke 15:20-24

Read Luke 15:25-30

Read Luke 15:31-32

Devotional Thoughts

I Want It Now! (Luke 15:11-16)

It is impossible to express strongly enough how hurtful, selfish, and morally wrong the son in this parable is. At a young age (18 perhaps) he basically tells his father "I wish you were dead" and asks for his inheritance now. Not only does this disrespect his father, it also disrespects why way society functioned. Anyone who heard this parable when Jesus spoke it would have been filled with anger and loathing for this son.

The son wastes all that his father gave him. He ends up in a pig pen wishing he had the luxury of the pigs he fed. This is the ultimate low in that society. In failing to honor his father and the morals of society (God-given morals) the son found ultimate destruction. The one who took what he wanted without regard for others ends up with nothing…and no one to care for him. This is a picture of sin and its consequences. I wonder if we can relate in some way to this son. I wonder if we have ever had this attitude. With the son's sinful and dishonorable attitude came destruction.

A Tough Realization (Luke 15:17-19)

Lessons from the pig pen – when the pigs have it better than you it is time to reexamine your life and choices. The son "came to himself". In other words, he woke up to reality. It is possible for a person to ignore and reject the idea that their choices have consequences. When the same problems continue to crop up in different situations in a person's life the odds are strong the problem is with the person…not the situation. Realizing this is a wake up moment. There is an opportunity to understand what happened and make changes. The son had one of these moments in his pig pen.

The son realizes that life with his father wasn't so bad after all. In fact the hired hands had it pretty good compared to this. He realized what he had lost and decided to confess his sin and accept the consequences. This act was the first step towards the restoration of the son. I wonder if we ever need a wake-up call. What needs confessed? What needs restored?

The Return (Luke 15:20-24)

So the son heads home…and the father sees. From a long way off the father sees his son returning to him. Here the father's attitude can be seen in comparison with the son's attitude. The father greets the son with compassion, love, and grace. He does not demand repayment. He does not condemn. Instead the father loves. Love is greater than sin.

A celebration begins. The father hears the son's honest confession, but restores the son to his proper place in the family. What's more, the father spares no expense to celebrate the safe return of his son. The father did not have to do this. He chose too. What does love like this look like today?

It's Not Fair! (Luke 15:25-30)

The father had two lost sons. One left, the other stayed. Now the one that stayed raises his head and speaks. He refuses to join the celebration. He heard about and saw the love and grace of the father and became angry. It simply was not fair. Sometimes love isn't fair. Grace is never fair. It is a gift to the undeserving. This son was not a fan of grace.

So this son confronts his father much in the same way as the other son demanded his inheritance. He refused to listen to his father and instead focused on his own hurt. Somehow the love of the father for his wayward youngest son was not shared by his hard working oldest son who had stayed home. Instead of love, this son expressed only condemnation and selfishness. This son was the scribes and Pharisees that confronted Jesus. This son represents those who want to control and keep for themselves to love and grace of God. This attitude is just as hurtful, selfish, and morally wrong as the attitude the prodigal son had. If we can't identify with the prodigal son perhaps we can identify with the oldest son.

A Father's Heart (Luke 15:31-32)

Again the love and grace of the father is made known. He does not take offense to both son's attitude and actions. He always seeks to restore his children to right relationship with him. Instead of condemning and punishing his older son, the father explains and reassures. The father offers wisdom to his son. The youngest son will have to deal with the consequences of his actions. Yet that should not stop those who love him from rejoicing at his return. The person is more important than the action.

So we celebrate. So God celebrates when a lost child comes home. At the father's heart is love, grace, and a willingness to stand with his hurting children. It is a model for us to follow. It is a picture of God's relationship with us…His people. The father's heart is beautiful and just the sort of heart the world needs. I wonder how our hearts compare with his.