Coming Home

-Written by Joy Gilman-

Sharp pangs of hunger and churning waves of anxiety wreaked havoc inside the young man's empty belly. His legs were bony and his bare feet were raw from walking endless miles over rugged desert terrain. His throat was parched from thirst and his mind swirled with thoughts of his father. He recalled the pain in his father's eyes when he demanded he receive his share of the inheritance immediately rather than waiting for his father's death. Oh how he wished he could go back in time...

Again and again the young man rehearsed the words he planned to say to his father when he finally reached home. They were words of remorse, words of regret, and words of contrition. He had no expectation of mercy, only deserved repudiation. The disrespect towards his father was simply too great, his unrestrained sin too dark, and his wayward wanderings too far. But even so, he held out hope that perhaps there was a chance at restitution. Perhaps he could simply be a servant in his father's household. That would be more than enough for him.

He squinted as the rays of the setting sun warmed his face. It won't be long now, he thought to himself. As he crested the ridge, he could almost make out his childhood home on the far side of the valley. His heart raced as he rehearsed his planned speech yet again. Then suddenly off in the distance, just south of his home, he spotted a figure. It appeared to be a man. The man in the distance was running, running straight towards him. The young man paused as he watched the man in the distance come clearer into view. He recognized the man. It was his father. His father was running to meet him.

"And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 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."

Luke 15: 20-24 NLT

The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, is arguably one of the most powerful illustrations of God's merciful love in all of scripture. Jesus used it to demonstrate how passionately God longs to redeem the lost and how eager He is to erase our estrangement.

Its redemptive message applies to all who have ever walked this ancient earth. When we finally come to our senses and turn our humbled hearts towards heaven, it is there the Father meets us, rejoicing, as He carries us prodigals home.

Recommended readings this week:

Luke 15: 11-32

Luke 15: 1-7

Romans 8: 18-30

Ephesians 2: 8-10

Proverbs 22: 6