RPG Adults
PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON – FATHER’S LOVE
MONDAY, JUNE 22
Luke 15:11-32
Memory verse: Luke 15:24
“For this my son was dead,
and is alive again;
he was lost, and is found…”
PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON – FATHER’S LOVE
The son did not know his father had been watching the horizon for his return. When the son was “a great way off” (Luke 15:20), his father saw him. The son was a speck on the horizon, but his father did not forget his gait and silhouette. The father had compassion, i.e. his bowels yearned for his son. What the son did was forgotten by the father, i.e. he would not hold it against him. His father had already forgiven him, but until the son returned home, he would not experience the blessing of being forgiven, i.e. reconciliation with his father. The father could not wait for the son to come to him, so he ran to meet his beloved prodigal son. He embraced him with his head on his son’s neck and kissed him on the cheek as was their custom to show deep affection.
Immediately, the son confessed his sin sincerely to the father as planned (Luke 15:21). But the father was more concerned that he had returned, and he could embrace and love him. The feeling from the parents’ hearts when a wayward son returns is indescribable. The joy is unspeakable. Immediately, the father instructed his servants to prepare a feast to celebrate his son’s homecoming. Before that, he dressed his son in the best robe, indicating he was still his son. The ring was placed on his finger to indicate to the world that, no matter what anyone might have heard about his son’s sinful behaviour, he had been forgiven and remained a beloved son to his father. The father wanted the world to know, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (Luke 15:24).
Salvation of every sinner in God’s eyes is described here. God’s love for a sinner is like a father’s love for a lost son. When you as a sinner receive Christ into your heart, God receives and embraces you. He has longed for your repentance and return. Return for the right reason of repentance. Once you return, never leave Him again. Be faithful and grateful all the days of your life, till Christ returns.
THOUGHT: Have I experienced the Father’s loving embrace?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may I never stop loving Thee with all my heart, soul, strength and mind. May I never leave Thee, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.