The Father Who Runs
Wednesday’s Verse:
From Luke 15:20 ESV
“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.”
It would have been understandable if the younger son never looked back home. He demanded his inheritance from his father, walked out on his family, squandered everything, and became completely destitute. He’d done everything wrong.
And when he finally repented and decided to return home, he still did not expect a hero’s welcome from his father. All he could hope for was that his father would at least allow him to work as a hired servant.
Jesus lets us know that while the younger son was still far away from home, “the father saw him and was filled with compassion for him.” The father didn’t wait for his son to apologize adequately or demand evidence that he was truly repentant. Instead, the father ran to him, gave him a hug, put clothes on his bare skin, and killed the fattened calf for a celebration feast!
This story paints a picture of God’s amazing grace in Jesus Christ. We never come good enough or clean enough to earn our way back into God’s good graces. We come repentant sinners who need mercy, and in Jesus, that is just what God provides. Because of His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and made a way for us to return to God as His beloved children.
By placing our faith in Christ, we receive the robe of His forgiveness. God declares we are restored to Him, not just tolerated as employees. Through Baptism and His Gospel, God makes us sons and daughters. When we confess our sin, our Father receives us not as hired servants who hope to earn their place, but as children for Jesus’ sake.
Maybe today you feel very far from God. Your sins have built up. You regret the mistakes you’ve made and feel as if you’ve wandered too far to be welcomed back by God. Listen to Jesus’ good news: God’s merciful love is greater than your sin. Come to Him in repentance and faith. In Jesus you will find forgiveness, restoration and a seat at the Father’s table.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Gracious Father, thank You for being a Father who receives sinners. Thank You for receiving us with open arms through Jesus Christ our Lord. When we wander, turn our hearts back toward You. Give us repentance that is sincere. Give us confidence in our forgiveness and keep us rejoicing that we are Your beloved children. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The photo above was licensed through Unsplash+