And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living” Luke 15:11-13.
You may be familiar with these words. This is how Jesus begins the story of the Prodigal Son. Human relationships can be complicated and beyond explanation. Why would a son who had been given so much by his father abandon his father’s love? It is hard to know. Yet you may have seen this story play out over and over again in the lives of people around you.
Sons and daughters are cared for and loved. They are lavished with gifts from their parents and yet at some point human pride, the sinful world and temptation to evil overcome common sense and moral sensibilities.
Indeed one way or another, each of us has been prodigal in our own way. Some of us may have gone to extremes and others less so. Yet the comforting truth of this story is found in its conclusion: “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
Every time we begin prayer with the words “Our Father, who art in heaven,” we can be sure of our Father’s love for the returning prodigal son or daughter. Let us never doubt the care and love that God has for his children when they return to him in repentance.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven let me always believe that You are my true Father and that I am Your true child, so that with all boldness and confidence I may ask You as dear children ask their dear father. Amen.
God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus
Download a pdf of all the Lenten devotions here.
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