January 21, 2016
Welcome Home!
While
he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion
for him. — Luke 15:20
Read:
Luke 15:11-24
When we were going
through a particularly challenging time with our son, a friend pulled me aside
after a church meeting. “I want you to know that I pray for you and your son
every day,” he said. Then he added: “I feel so guilty.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I’ve never had to deal with prodigal children,” he said. “My kids
pretty much played by the rules. But it wasn’t because of anything I did or
didn’t do. Kids,” he shrugged, “make their own choices.”
I wanted to hug him.
His compassion was a reminder, a gift from God, communicating to me the
Father’s understanding for my struggle with my son.
No one understands the
struggle with prodigals better than our heavenly Father. The story of the
prodigal son in Luke 15 is our story and God’s. Jesus told it on behalf of all
sinners who so desperately need to come home to their Creator and discover the
warmth of a loving relationship with Him.
Jesus is God in the
flesh seeing us in the distance and looking on us with compassion. He is God
running to us and throwing His arms around us. He is heaven’s kiss welcoming
the repentant sinner home (v. 20).
God hasn’t just left
the porch light on for us. He’s out on the front porch watching, waiting,
calling us home.
We ask again
today, Lord, that our prodigals would come home.
Our loved ones may spurn our appeals, reject
our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons—but they are helpless
against our prayers. J. Sidlow Baxter
Source: Our Daily Bread 2016