March 18

THE FATHER

-There is no story in the Bible quite like the story of the Prodigal Son. It is actually about TWO LOST SONS who both need the forgiveness of their father. Notice the character of the father in the story. Notice that his character and nature never changes. He is one of wisdom, compassion, and love. The father in this story has not a vindictive or vicious bone in his body. He was willing to give his younger son his inheritance, watch him go waste it, wait and watch for him to come to himself, and come home. And finally, to rejoice when he did come home. NOW THAT IS A LOVING FATHER!

-We must understand that this story portrays the never-failing love of our Heavenly Father. Our Father, Who is all-powerful and all-loving, WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON HIS CREATION UNTIL ALL HIS LOST SONS COME HOME, whether now or in the ages to come. NOW THAT IS A GOOD DAD!

-The father in this story had every right to be angry with his younger son. He could have refused to forgive him by not letting him come back home again. But the father said to his servants, … Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: FOR THIS MY SON WAS DEAD, AND IS ALIVE AGAIN; HE WAS LOST, AND IS FOUND ( Luke 15:22-24 ) ...

-Let us also remember … that the father saw him ( his son ) when he was a great way off, and had compassion, and RAN, and fell on his neck, and kissed him ( Luke 15:20 ) ...

-The father was SO LOVING that he even forgave his other SELF-RIGHTEOUS, MEAN, AND ANGRY SON, who refused to rejoice over his brother’s homecoming. WHAT A LOVING FATHER!!! He forgives riotous living and self-righteousness.

-Let us once and for all see our Heavenly Father as the COMPASSIONATE, LOVING, AND MERCIFUL GOD THAT HE IS! YES … There is a consequence for sin! But our Father is powerful enough and loving enough to cause us to come to ourselves, and to bring us back …

-HOME AGAIN!-