Luke 15:11-32
It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found. – Luke 15:32
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Today’s passage is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. In Luke 15, the author presents three parables centred around a common theme — the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Jesus told these three parables in response to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who grumbled when they saw tax collectors and sinners gathering around Him. They said, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2) Was that reasonable? Jesus used these stories to reveal the heart behind His actions.
If someone treasures even a lost sheep or a lost coin so dearly, how much more valuable is a human soul? The father in the parable of the prodigal son represents a parent whose heart has been deeply wounded. The younger son’s request for his share of the inheritance was equivalent to wishing his father dead! A shocking act of rebellion and disrespect. Yet, the father granted his request and divided his property. The son then gathered all he had, went to a distant country, and squandered his wealth in reckless living. When he had spent everything and was left with nothing, he finally came to his senses and decided to return home, willing even to be treated as one of his father’s hired servants.
What he did not expect was his father’s complete and unconditional acceptance. Before the son could even finish his prepared confession or utter the words, “Treat me as one of your hired servants,” his father ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him repeatedly. (v.20) The father concealed nothing of his joy and love. He called for a grand celebration, saying, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”
But the father’s love did not end there. He had to leave the house a second time. This time, to plead with the elder son, who refused to join the celebration. The elder brother did not understand his father’s heart, just like the Pharisees and teachers of the law who could not comprehend why Jesus would welcome and eat with sinners.
As members of God’s household today, do we understand our Heavenly Father’s heart? His heart always focuses on those who have not yet come home, whether they are the “prodigal sons” who have wandered far away, the “elder sons” who stay in the house yet fail to understand His love, or those who have not yet truly known Him.
The Father’s heart beats for all His children, for every person made in His image. When we begin to share the heart of Christ, we start to understand the Father’s longing for every lost and distant soul, His deep ache for those who are slow to return, and His eager anticipation for their homecoming. From the father’s perspective, as long as his child is willing to come home, he will run, unmindful of appearances and ready to pay any price, to welcome his beloved child back into his arms.
Reflection:
Who am I in this story today? Am I truly enjoying the joy and satisfaction of being a child in the Father’s house? Do I understand and share the Father’s heart, to seek, welcome, and embrace every person who comes home to Him?
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unconditional love and acceptance that make me part of Your family. Forgive me for the times I have been content with my own place in Your house but lacked compassion for those still outside. Help me not to stand at the door judging or keeping others out, but to partner with Your Spirit in building a warm and welcoming home where all can encounter Your love. May Your heart be satisfied as we live out Your love together. In Jesus’ victorious name I pray, amen.
Click to Read
Today’s passage is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. In Luke 15, the author presents three parables centred around a common theme — the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Jesus told these three parables in response to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who grumbled when they saw tax collectors and sinners gathering around Him. They said, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2) Was that reasonable? Jesus used these stories to reveal the heart behind His actions.
If someone treasures even a lost sheep or a lost coin so dearly, how much more valuable is a human soul? The father in the parable of the prodigal son represents a parent whose heart has been deeply wounded. The younger son’s request for his share of the inheritance was equivalent to wishing his father dead! A shocking act of rebellion and disrespect. Yet, the father granted his request and divided his property. The son then gathered all he had, went to a distant country, and squandered his wealth in reckless living. When he had spent everything and was left with nothing, he finally came to his senses and decided to return home, willing even to be treated as one of his father’s hired servants.
What he did not expect was his father’s complete and unconditional acceptance. Before the son could even finish his prepared confession or utter the words, “Treat me as one of your hired servants,” his father ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him repeatedly. (v.20) The father concealed nothing of his joy and love. He called for a grand celebration, saying, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”
But the father’s love did not end there. He had to leave the house a second time. This time, to plead with the elder son, who refused to join the celebration. The elder brother did not understand his father’s heart, just like the Pharisees and teachers of the law who could not comprehend why Jesus would welcome and eat with sinners.
As members of God’s household today, do we understand our Heavenly Father’s heart? His heart always focuses on those who have not yet come home, whether they are the “prodigal sons” who have wandered far away, the “elder sons” who stay in the house yet fail to understand His love, or those who have not yet truly known Him.
The Father’s heart beats for all His children, for every person made in His image. When we begin to share the heart of Christ, we start to understand the Father’s longing for every lost and distant soul, His deep ache for those who are slow to return, and His eager anticipation for their homecoming. From the father’s perspective, as long as his child is willing to come home, he will run, unmindful of appearances and ready to pay any price, to welcome his beloved child back into his arms.
Reflection:
Who am I in this story today? Am I truly enjoying the joy and satisfaction of being a child in the Father’s house? Do I understand and share the Father’s heart, to seek, welcome, and embrace every person who comes home to Him?
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unconditional love and acceptance that make me part of Your family. Forgive me for the times I have been content with my own place in Your house but lacked compassion for those still outside. Help me not to stand at the door judging or keeping others out, but to partner with Your Spirit in building a warm and welcoming home where all can encounter Your love. May Your heart be satisfied as we live out Your love together. In Jesus’ victorious name I pray, amen.