“Bring the fattened calf and kill it! Let us eat and celebrate, because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!” So they began to celebrate.
Into the Text
Jesus shared a story with His disciples about a son who left his father’s house. This son had done nothing to work for his wealth, for it was the father who had earned their large estate. The son took his inheritance and left. Soon, he had spent all his money and had nothing to eat. He began to work in the most humiliating conditions but still was without food. Finally, he came to his senses and returned home.
Not expecting to be welcomed, the son returned home and humbled himself before his father. But the father rejoiced at his son’s return. He prepared a great feast and rejoiced that his lost son had returned.
This is the way Jesus welcomes us when we return to Him. Our sin has taken us to places and depths we could never have imagined. But, when we repent and return to the Father, we are welcomed as this son was. Our heavenly Father rejoices when we return to Him.
What a glorious truth to know that in Jesus, we are saved. We have been given so much in Him, and He has done all the work to earn it. Just like the son had not earned any of the wealth, nor did he deserve to be welcomed back, we are welcomed into the family of God and given all the wealth and riches of Christ. He has restored us to Himself by His grace alone. May we humble ourselves and return to Him, no matter how far we have strayed.