PASSAGE: Selected verses from Luke 15:11-32 ~ The Prodigal Son ~ [Jesus speaking] "There was a man who had 2 sons. The younger 1 said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
"Not long after that, [he] squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything there was a severe famine in that whole country, & he began to be in need...He longed to fill hsi stomach w/the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, & here I am starving to death! I will set out & go back to my father & say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven & against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son' make me like 1 of your hired men.'
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him & was filled w/compassion for him; he RAN to his son, threw his arms around him & kissed him...
"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music & dancing...
"The older brother became angry & refused to go in...
[The father said to him] "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always w/me, & everything I have isyours. But we HAD to celebrate & be glad, because this brother of yours was dead & is alive again; he was lost & is found!'"
LESSON LEARNED: I agree w/a long-time pastor friend of ours...Jesus' story of The Prodigal Son should really be called "The Parable of the Gracious Father."
In a recent sermon, he went on to say that "so many people wrongly see God as a harsh Judge, a critic, a biggot, a supernatural puppeteer; Someone who remembers ALL wrongs & thinks that we will never be good enough for Him.
"Others wrongly see Him as their cosmic Buddy, their Pal...even as a sort of Santa Claus."
The Biblical view is that of loving Father. As someone who was a daddy's girl, I LOVE being the precious daughter of THE King!!
When we see God as a loving Father ~ not only is He just, but after true justice is met He reassures us by letting us crawl up onto His lap where He reminds us that He forgives us (once again) & He LOVES us SO very, very much!
My favorite part of this parable is that the father (representing God in this story) WATCHED DAILY for His son's return! And when he saw him, HE RAN to met him & hug & & kiss him! Just to TOUCH his son once more! He utterly & completely REJOICED in the return of his son & was extravagant in his love. He rejoiced & threw a party!
GOD IS LIKE THAT FATHER!! Do you know that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior that all of heaven - the very angels themselves - rejoice?! Over YOU! Just as this father did, God sings & dances & celebrates when we come home!! ~ Zeph. 3:17 - "The LORD your God is w/you, He is mightly so save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you w/His love, He will rejoice over you w/singing."
God sees us as His dearly loved children. Yes, he is just, but He is also compassionate & forgiving...full of grace & mercy...as any good parent should be.
So...remember this: Don't EVER be afraid to come home to your Daddy!
Enjoy other Word Filled Wednesdays at http://acountrymom.blogspot.com/ Please feel free to grab the WFW button for your blog while you're there!!
Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><
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