A Good Father
READ
Have you ever wondered what God is thinking whenever we come back to Him after we've sinned? Luke 15 answers that question with the story of a wayward son and an expectant father.
Like many of us, the wayward son goes out on his own, trying to make it in a broken world. He leaves behind a good father and the comfort and security of a life connected to him. And on his journey, he discovers what many of us eventually find apart from Christ: emptiness and brokenness.
Today, we're picking up this story at the moment when the son comes to the end of himself and makes the journey back home — unsure of how his father will receive him.
Let's look at Luke 15:20-24 to see the good father's response:
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate.
REFLECT
I love this story because regardless of the type of earthly father each of us has had, we are given a picture of what the perfect Father looks like.
Look at verse 20 again. Before a word left the wayward son's mouth — before an apology was given — the good father ran to him. He was filled with compassion. He embraced him and welcomed him home.
This. This is a picture of the gospel!
Though we were dead in our sins, He made a way for us to be made right in Christ. God didn't wait until we were sorry enough before He sent His Son to make a way. He had already provided a payment for all of our wrongdoings, and before an apology escapes from our lips, He is already running toward us — full of compassion, ready to welcome us back home.
And when we do repent, He doesn't lecture. He doesn't scold. He throws a party. He brings out the fattened calf and feasts, because His beloved child who was once lost is now found.
It reminds me of the verse, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Because of Christ, the wayward child isn't welcomed back into the family begrudgingly, having to earn back their good standing or prove their worth. No — the Good Father says, "Welcome home, child. You are mine, always and forever. You were once dead, but now you're alive. No time to waste on shame — let's celebrate!"
And this is good news. The best news. For us all.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you've read.
When you think about God as a father figure, what do you imagine? How does your perception of Him differ from — or line up with — what we read in Scripture?
When you think of your life before Christ, do you wrestle with shame? In light of what we read, how does God view your sin?
Is there sin you've been hesitant to bring to God because you're afraid of His response? If so, spend some time confessing it to Him. Then, after confessing, reread verse 20 and imagine this scene as God's personal response to you.
REST
Take a moment to rest in God's presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time of reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Father, thank You for being a God who is like the good father in this story. Thank You for Your unfailing love and for being a Father who welcomes me home when I wander. Help me to let go of any shame that doesn't belong at the feast You've set before me, and help me to embrace my identity as Your beloved child. Amen.
Port City writer Brittany Salmon wrote today’s devotional.