“Luke 15:11-32”

Friday, June 12, 2020

"And He said, ‘A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.” So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.’” So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” And they began to celebrate. ‘Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.” But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, “Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.” And he said to him, “Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.”’”

---End of Scripture verses---

A few observations about the story of the Prodigal Son:

Verse 13 – A life devoted to sin is like going into a far country, completely remote and isolated from God, and squandering away the gift of life that He has blessed us with.

Verse 14 – Bad choices often team up with rotten luck, and that can just make a complete wreck out of our lives.

Verse 17 – Hitting rock bottom is not always as bad as it seems. IF! If it causes us to come to our senses. When we realize that we have no one but ourselves to blame for the sinful mess that our lives often become, and then purpose in our hearts to come back to the One who really cares about us and has always loved us; that is truly returning to our senses.

Verse 20 – God loves us, even when we are sin-soaked and spiritually bankrupt, and He wants us back. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Verse 22 – God doesn’t just want to be a part of our lives. He wants to restore us to a privileged place of fellowship with Him, and give us all the treasures of heaven. “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

Verse 24 – When a sinner repents, changes his wicked ways and returns to God, he passes from death to life. When we chose to pursue sinfulness instead of obedience to God, our sin separates us from Him (Isaiah 59:1-2), and we die spiritually. When we return to the Lord in humble, obedient faith, we truly start living again!

Titus 2:11-14 – “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”

Please read Luke 16:19-31 for tomorrow – The rich man and Lazarus.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

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