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I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.” Luke 15:18
D.L. MOODY
One of the greatest battles ever fought was being fought in the heart of the prodigal. Everything holy and heavenly was beckoning him home. The powers of darkness were trying to keep him from returning.
“You go back and they’ll all laugh at you. What’ll they say?” said the devil.
No doubt there was an angel hovering over him, watching for the decision, and when he said, “I will arise,” the angel bore it on high.
“Make another crown. Get another robe ready. There’s another sinner coming!”
That “I will” echoed and reechoed, and there was joy in the presence of the angels. He is saved. His heart has got home already. The battle with pride and sin is over.
ERWIN LUTZER
Prodigals stay in the far country for many reasons. Perhaps it’s the shame of going back empty-handed, a desire to avoid the rules of the farm, or even an aversion to an older brother’s self-righteousness. The reluctance and stubbornness is on our part, not God’s. He is gracious and merciful, waiting for sinners just like us to come home. So we must hurry to the Father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).
Our Heavenly Father is waiting. God says, “I have made provision for you to come back home. I sent my Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for sinners. Receive me and I will accept you.” How much does God love us? Jesus stretched out His hands on the cross and said, “This much!” That’s how great the love of God is.
PRAYER
Father, I throw myself helplessly before you in your presence. Here I am, receive me back home.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
When we look at Luke 15:20, what does the Father’s act of running toward the son tell us about God's real attitude toward a repentant sinner?How can the "self-righteousness" of others in the church sometimes make it harder for a struggling person to come home?