But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” And he arose and came to his father. ~ Luke 15:17-20
In the verses above, we read the words spoken by Jesus Himself. It’s known as the parable of the prodigal son. This parable speaks of two sons, and one infinitely, good father. The younger of the sons approached his father and demanded his full inheritance. He then left home and squandered all he had generously received through his reckless lifestyle. He started out with having everything he needed and ended up in one of the lowest degrees imaginable. He started out as the son of a father who supplied all his needs, who had a guaranteed inheritance, then ended up as a servant in charge of feeding pigs. His position became so destitute that when a severe famine hit, no one would dare give him any food. He couldn’t even be provided a ration from the very pods of the pigs he was feeding.
In verse 17, the son became awakened to the condition he was in. He’d been laid completely bare and lost everything. It was at that very moment that he finally saw his own sinfulness and broken state. He was no longer blinded to the reality of where his choices had taken him. He had blown his entire inheritance, and dove into a lifestyle of complete destruction. He had taken advantage of his father’s goodness, sought his own selfish desires, and dug himself into a place of shame, hopelessness, and desperation. He had no way out. His only hope would be found in returning to his father. He didn’t have to remain in his broken and shameful condition. He had a place to run to. He could go home. All along, he only needed to open his eyes to the position he was in, and understand the sin he’d committed against his father. He needed his father’s forgiveness. He needed to be accepted back into the house of the One who had loved him deeply and only sought after his ultimate good.
We’ve all walked the same road as the prodigal son. His story is nothing short of our story, too. Whether in heart or action, we’ve all spat upon the very grace God has relentlessly extended to us. We’ve run away from the only One whose love is perfect, complete, and constant. He is a long suffering God who is so unbelievably rich in mercy. It’s His desire that none would perish, but that all would come to repentance.
If you’ve turned to your own way and squandered the goodness and kindness of the God who unfailingly loves you, please don’t believe the lie that you’re too far away to return to the Father who waits to be gracious to you. Just as the prodigal, understand your need for help and salvation, see the hopeless state you’re in, seek the forgiveness of God, and run to Him. He is there. He’s waiting for you. He sees the mess you’re in, he knows all about what you’ve done, and yet, He’s still endlessly pursuing you. He promises to be near to the broken hearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. No amount of your sin and shame has outrun His unfailing mercy. Turn away from where you are. Turn away, and turn to the One who will incline His ear to hear your cry for help. Dear reader, dear broken one, dear prodigal, run to the arms of the father who loves you. It’s not too late…come home.
“When we sin, we are encouraged to bring our mess to Jesus because He will know just how to receive us. He doesn’t handle us roughly. He doesn’t scowl and scold. He doesn’t lash out, the way many of our parents did. And all this restraint on His part is not because He has a diluted view of our sinfulness. He knows our sinfulness far more deeply than we do…His restraint simply flows from His tender heart for His people…He deals with us in the way that is just what we need. He deals gently with us.”