A Father’s Joy - The One Year Book of Hope

A Father’s Joy

He returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. “This son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” So the party began. –Luke 15:20, 24

There was a time in my life when I longed for the comfort of being close to God, but it seemed as if I had been on my own so long and had tried so many times to find my way back, I wasn’t sure how God would receive me. I dreaded the rebuke I knew I deserved. My understanding of repentance was very limited, and my picture of God was very harsh.

Many of the people of Jesus’ day had misconceptions of what God was like based on the distortions promoted by harsh religious leaders. So Jesus used parables to draw a picture of God for them. He used the story of a father and his prodigal son to show them—and you and me as well—how God feels about rebellious, mistake-ridden, broken people—people who want to come home.

By asking for his inheritance before his father’s death, the son in the story basically expressed his utter disregard for his father, almost as if he said, “I wish you were dead.” And yet the father gave him his full inheritance, which likely required that he sell off parts of his farm. And beginning on the day his son walked away, the father began waiting and longing for his return. No resentment for the rebuff. No sense of “good riddance” or indifference to the void his son left behind. Just looking, longing, loving.

Finally, when the son came to the end of his resources and the end of himself, he headed home, practicing his speech for his father: “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you” (Luke 15:21). But he had no opportunity to give the speech because his father was so eager to forgive. With each gift the father presented to his repentant, returning son, he spoke acceptance, not judgment; restoration, not retribution.

This parable serves as an invitation to you if you have walked away from your Father’s loving provision and want to come home. Our Father’s heart is happy when he sees one of his own walking toward him. Won’t you come home?

Forgiving Father, I’ve often been afraid of your rebuke because I know I deserve it, and yet you wait to offer me forgiveness and welcome me home. Show me your loving Father’s heart so I will run toward your embrace.

DIGGING DEEPER