The Father's Heart

Luke 15:17-20 tells us: “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father. “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.”

Now be honest. Wouldn’t you expect verse 20  say, “His father saw him and was filled with what?” If you didn’t know the story, you would expect him to say “anger”, wouldn’t you? Verse 21 continues: “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’”

You see, the Prodigal is making the same mistake that the older brother is making. He thinks his behavior is what makes him acceptable to the Father. He things his performance can make him a part of the Father’s house again. But here’s one of the great truths of the parable. You can know more earn the Father’s grace than you can throw yourself a surprise party. They both come from the Father.

Verses 22-23 continue, “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick!...” Wait a minute...not quick. Don't you think we would have a few questions? I think so. We would want to know if he had really changed, wouldn’t you? We would want to know if he was back for good. W might be tempted to suggest that our friend wait a few weeks. It would feel too early for a party, don’t you think? It would be if you were focused on the boy’s past behavior. But that is not the father's heart.

The Father says, “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.” And that brings us to the Father’s desire.