God's Joy

Devotion by: Steve O'Connor

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

So he told them this parable, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’

In these verses, Luke tells the story of the prodigal son. After demanding his inheritance and then squandering it, the younger of two brothers is left destitute and starving in a distant country. In essence, he has hit rock bottom. At that point, Luke tells us that “he comes to his senses” and makes a decision to return to his father and seek his forgiveness. Does that sound familiar? Why is it that we often have to reach a point of desperation before coming to our senses and recognizing that we have sinned, and that we are in need of God’s forgiveness?

Fortunately for the prodigal son, despite his transgressions, his father still loves him and forgives him. Although the son has treated the father badly, the father nonetheless welcomes his son back with joy and celebration. What an incredible source of comfort for him! (And for us!)

I am sure that we can all recall experiences growing up when we had done something that we knew would upset our fathers (and mothers), and we did not know what the consequences might be. How angry would our father be with us? Would we lose our father’s affection? If so, would we ever be forgiven and reconciled with our father again?

The lesson of this parable is that God will always joyfully forgive our sins. All we have to do to receive that forgiveness is sincerely ask for it. How incredibly fortunate we are! As we reflect on our relationship with God during this season of Lent, remember the story of the prodigal son. And take comfort in knowing that God will joyfully embrace us back into his Kingdom, if we just ask Him.

PRAYER: Heavenly father, thank you for your gracious and ever-present love for us, with which you bless us -- even when we do not deserve it. During this season of Lent, open our hearts to seek reconciliation with you, knowing with certainty that, like the prodigal son, you will welcome us back into your Kingdom. Amen.