Scripture

“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.” So the party began

Observation

To illustrate the point that God loves sinners, Jesus tells the famous story about the prodigal son.

A man had two sons. The younger one demands his share of the family inheritance. He goes away and spends it all on wild living .

This son finds himself in a desperate circumstances and eventually goes home to his father. He realises he deserves nothing from his father, but at least the servants are better off than him.

He goes home. The father runs to meet him, overwhelmed with joy that his lost son has returned.

Big brother is not happy. He has slaved away and never had a party in his honour. But the father points out that the son has always had access to the father and to everything he owns. The younger son, in contrast, was like a dead man who has come back to life.

Application

God loves a party! All through the Bible we find references to feasts and festivals. Of course, the biggest party ever will take place in Heaven when we are all reunited with the Father.

Here in Jesus’ story, there is a father who celebrates the return of his wayward son. There are no lectures or recriminations, no punishment or probation. It’s all joy and celebration.

I’ve never had any children go off the rails. I do have some who moved a long way from home, and it is always a joy when they come back.

My joy is just a tiny fraction of the joy God feels when a sinner turns around and comes back to Him.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for this expression of the joy that you experienced in your family. May I always make you happy. Amen.

Scripture

“Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.”

Observation

Jesus is informed that some Galileans were murdered by Pilate in the Temple. He asks if they think these particular people were worse sinners than others. He tells them they too will perish unless they repent of their sins.

Similarly, the people who perished when a tower fell on them in Jerusalem were no worse sinners than anyone else.

Jesus then tells a parable about a man who planted a fig tree in his garden. He was disappointed by its lack of fruitfulness. Finally, he tells his gardener to cut the tree down. The gardener asks the owner to give the tree another chance; he will take special care and fertilise it, and it should do better the next year – if not, they can cut it down then.

Application

A common response to feeling convicted about sin is to compare ourselves to other people. We might think we are not as bad as that person. If someone is struck down by tragedy, we might wonder if they did something to deserve it.

Jesus rightly draws our attention to ourselves. We need to repent of our own sins and turn to God rather than wondering about the sins of others. Yes, other people do bad things too, but that does not make us righteous.

God is not slow to punish sinners. The parable of the barren fig tree shows that He is always wanting to give us another chance to repent.

But the time will come when the last chances run out, and we have to give an account to God for our sins.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your loving kindness. You always show grace to those who turn to you. Thank you. Amen.

Scripture

He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.

Observation

Immediately after His baptism, the Holy Spirit direct Jesus into the wilderness where He is tempted for forty days.

At the end of this time, when Jesus is very hungry, the devil provokes Jesus to turn some stones into bread to prove His Sonship. Jesus rebukes satan with scripture.

Next, the devil takes Jesus up to a high place to reveal to Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. This will be given to Jesus if He worships Satan. Again Jesus rebukes him with scripture.

The devil takes Jesus to the highest place of the Temple and says He should jump off so tha the angels will come and rescue Him. Again Jesus rebukes satan with scripture.

Finally the devil leaves Jesus.

Application

I can’t imagine what forty days of temptation must have been like for Jesus, alone with satan in the wilderness. It must have been intense as satan tried to get Jesus to sin or even just deviate from the path that the Father had set for Him.

I have been through times of torrid temptation. It would seem to be so easy to walk away from God’s calling, but I recognised what was happening.

Less obvious, and so easier to miss, are the lesser temptations. Satan entices us to seek something, to compromise just a little, to lose control or to give in to our passions.

Jesus is our great High Priest. He has been tempted in every way, just like us, but he did not sin. He understands the pressures that satan and the world put on us. He has compassion and forgives us readily when we turn back to Him.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for this assurance that you know what temptation is like and you understand my weakness. Please help me to stay strong in you. Amen.