Jesus is Essential
Luke 15:20–24: “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “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.
Christ right now is at God’s right hand, still girded with the towel of service for one of His who gets soiled feet or soiled hands by being in the far country. When we confess to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We have to come like the Prodigal Son came. “Father, I have sinned, and I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me a hired servant.” And the Father will say, “I’d never make you a hired servant. You’re my son. I’ll cleanse you, I’ll forgive you, I’ll bring you back into the place of fellowship and usefulness.” A son is a son forever. 1
Walking with Jesus
What action did the son take in order to receive the compassion of the Father? Was it still necessary for the son to confess his sins since the Father had already welcomed him back? What is meant by dead and alive; what is meant by lost and found? What robe has the Father given to you? (Read Isaiah 61:10.)
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4
The Bible keeps you from sin, and sin keeps you from the Bible.
Praying
Lord, thank You for welcoming me, when I actually deserved Your rejection.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1998). Luke: that you may know the truth. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
