Sunday, June 12, 2011

WHEN I GET OLD...


So he returned home to his father.And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Luke 15:20

THE FATHER'S LOVE
12" X 24" ENAMEL ON POLYGLASS
LYN DEUTSCH2009


THE PRODIGAL SON

Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money on wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. The boy became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired men have food enough to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man.”
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, 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 on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. 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. (Read Luke 15:11-32).

God’s love for each individual is so great that He seeks out each one and rejoices when he or she is found. We may be able to understand a God who would forgive sinners who come to Him for mercy. But a God who tenderly searches for sinners and then joyfully forgives them must possess an extraordinary love! This is the kind of love that prompted Jesus to come to earth to search for lost people and save them. This is the kind of extraordinary love that God has for you.
In the parable of the prodigal son, the younger son, like many of us, wanted to be free to live as he pleased. He had to hit bottom before he came to his senses. It often takes great sorrow and tragedy to cause people to look to the only One who can help them – Jesus. Are you trying to live life your own way? Stop and look before you hit bottom. You will save yourself and your family much grief.

In this parable, since the son left, the father watched and waited for his son’s return. He knew that one day, he will come home and we read, “And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”


There was no day that the father did not look out by his porch waiting for his beloved son to come back home. No matter what your mother and father may have treated you in this life, you have an Ever-Living God and Father in heaven who loves you unconditionally. God’s love is perfect, constant, patient, and welcoming. Right now, you are reading God’s compelling invitation – “Whatever you have done, whatever you have become, it doesn’t matter. Please come home.”

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