22.03.25 Luke 15:11-32
22 March
Prepare -
God, create in us a hunger, a desire, a thirst for you. Clear our minds from the many distractions that we’ve got and help us want you more than anything else.
Read – Luke 15:11-32
11 Jesus continued: ‘There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” So he divided his property between them.
13 ‘Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 ‘When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” 20 So he got up and went to his father.
‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him.
21 ‘The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
22 ‘But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.
25 ‘Meanwhile, the elder son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 “Your brother has come,” he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.”
28 ‘The elder brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!”
31 ‘“My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”’
Reflect
This is just the most amazing story, the perfect description of the Father’s heart. Jesus is expressing in very simple words, this is the Father, this is how he is. Our heart’s melt when we see such grace, such love, such forgiveness. That’s what God does with us.
Be
Imagine you’re see God the Father running towards you, giving you a massive hug. Saying this is my beloved son or daughter in whom I’m well pleased. Just imagine this happening, how do you feel? What do you say?
Become
Father thanks for loving me and calling me yours. Create in me a heart that is full of grace like yours. Let me relate to others like you relate to me.
Do
Holy Spirit, guide me this day. Help me do what you did. Help me be like the prodigal father that rejoices in others, that runs to encounter the person who needs an embrace.
Practice:
Who can we show love and grace to, like the Father does to us? Who might be wandering through life, maybe even desperate that we can show love to? Who might we meet today whom we can share about the love of the Father?
Focus prayer:
Father, we love and adore you.
We long to shape our lives closer to you.
May we focus on your grace in this season.
Help us to be humble and gentle.
Remain in us, as we remain in you.
As we pray: do what only you can do.