Scripture
“My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

Observation
Jesus tells the well known parable of the Prodigal Son, or more accurately the Loving Father.

A younger son of a wealthy land owner decides to get his inheritance early. He demands his share of the estate and goes off to spend his wealth in wild living. After the money is gone, he hires himself out to a citizen of the far-off country and is set to work feeding pigs.

Eventually he comes to his senses and realises that even his father's slaves were better off than he is. He returns home thinking that he has squandered his rights as a son but he might be able to work for his father.

While he is a long way off the father runs to meet him. The father orders a robe, a ring and a party for the lost son.

The older son is jealous and refuses to join the party. He is angry that he has faithfully worked for his father but he never got a party. But the father responds that they must celebrate the return of the lost son.

Application
This is a parable of the overwhelming love of a father for his son. The son committed the gravest form of rebelliousness towards his father by demanding his inheritance before the father died. He squandered his inheritance and returns expecting rejection. But the father's love for his son is so huge that he can do no other than celebrate the son's return.

God's love for us is like this. There is no sin that is too big for God to forgive. No life is beyond God's redemption.

God loves you more than you can know. Turn to him today. Confess your sins and ask him to forgive your past rebelliousness. Hand your life to him and let him turn your life into something truly beautiful.

Prayer
Lord Jesus I thank you for your awesome love. Please accept my confession of sins and write the truth of our mercy in my heart. Amen.