pThe Prodigal Son. Head to Luke 15 to recap. Even if you’re all too familiar with it, here’s something you may not know: the son who demanded the father’s inheritance was seriously breaking some boundaries. Major stuff. In the Middle Eastern culture of the time, the younger son was entitled to a third of what the father owned. When could he get hold of this inheritance? Only when his father died. That son acted as though he really, truly, wished his father was dead, just so he could get the money he wanted. Wow.br /
How often do we walk away from God, perhaps even deep down wishing that He didn’t want certain things for us, so that we could go our own way? Even just subconsciously. If you’ve been there, and want to return like the son did, today’s reading is for you. See, what’s more shocking than the son’s disobedience is the father’s grace-filled reaction: He ‘saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him’ (v. 20 NIVUK). Jesus knew as He told this parable that the father’s extravagance was outrageous. And that was 100% on purpose. He wants us to draw between the dad’s reaction, and God’s.br /
How outrageously have you sinned against God? Jesus sees it, and He wants you to know that He WILL meet you with an even more outrageous grace./p
pWhat now?br /
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and ask God to remind you that He keeps no record of when you’ve wronged Him. Kept any records of things that you’ve done wrong? (Diary, email, often-returned-to memory.) Make today the day you get rid of it./p