Day Twenty-Six – Luke 15:20-32

Day 26 – Luke 15:20-32

This story. Those two sons. Oy. The bad son, who wants his father’s money before his father even dies and then wastes it all, is similar to the lost coin and the lost sheep. Only, because he’s a person and not an animal or inanimate object, he has to do the turning toward home all on his own. But oh, the father is watching, isn’t he? And again, there’s no lecture. There’s just a warm and vibrant welcome. A rejoicing that his boy has finally come to his senses and is ready to enjoy all his father has for him!

That older son just *might* have been there for those Pharisees and religious leaders turning up their nose at the notorious ones. Instead of being crabby that Jesus welcomed sinners into his teaching circle, perhaps they should be rejoicing that the sinners are there! After all, they’ve had the privilege of studying the torah all their lives. Shouldn’t they be glad when someone else turns toward God? We need to be careful not to be an “older son” and resent God’s grace to others. The proper response to a sinner repenting? Joy and a party. Let’s remember that.

I’m going to share with you a poem to finish out today’s commentary. I wrote it years ago while meditating on this story of the prodigal son. I hope it blesses you.

FAITHFUL

You are Faithful.

We walk Angrily away, taking our demanded inheritance with us

Leaving You who shared all You owned

To grieve

And watch for our return.

We waste our inheritance.

Our bodies are overfed and under exercised, creating disease and atrophy.

Our time is frittered away on things that don’t matter

And don’t satisfy.

Our money goes to foolishness while most of the world
starves.

Our minds worry, fret, gossip, become embittered

When they could be enriched by Your Word and Your Spirit.

You.

Yet you are Faithful.

You wait.

You watch.

You humble Yourself with Your longing for Your foolish prodigals.

and when we turn – You RUN to us.

Oh incomprehensible Love – You run!

You embrace.

Your JOY pours out in party – fatted calf – best robe and ring

For the very ones

Who squandered what You gave.

Make me faithful.

Help me love and wait for those who squander

And trample their inheritance.

And when they turn

Give me incomprehensible LOVE

Unabashed JOY!

Just like You.

My verse: Luke 15:24 “for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found! So the party began.”

My response: Father, this teaches me to never give up on anybody. Even (I wrote the name here of someone who currently hates God and writes mockingly about Him) is not beyond Your reach. He is dead to You right now … angrily mocking good things – but even he could be saved if he would but turn. And what rejoicing there would be if he did!