Luke 15:22-24
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here 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.’ And they began to be merry.”
When one of our children has strayed from the fold, it is a tremendous feeling when they return and express a repentant attitude. I fear, however, that our human reaction is to hold them in probation for awhile to insure their repentance is true.
In this wonderful parable that we’ve been exploring over the past few days, we discover that the restoration has nothing to do with the son’s willingness to be considered a servant. The wayward son had his speech all prepared, but his father interrupted his words with the order to restore him.
The son did not have the power to do that. His older brother did not have the power to do that. Only his father had the authority and power to either reject the wayward son or to restore him. He chose to restore him.
In like manner, our Heavenly Father has completed the work to restore us to a right relationship and standing with Him. It is not by works of righteousness, but by His grace alone that we are made to be partakers of His bounty. Thank you, Abba Father!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil