Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
April 2, 2024
Luke 15:11-32
11 Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then, the father divided his estate between them. 13 Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living. 14 “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. 15 He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. 17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. 21 Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! 23 Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting 24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27 The servant replied, ‘Your brother has arrived, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he received his son back safe and sound.’ 28 Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him. 29 He answered his father, ‘Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed your instruction. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate on prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 Then his father said, ‘Son, 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. He was lost and is found.’”
Good Morning! We were lost, but now we are found!
Many make a mess of their lives and succumb to the evils of loose living. By the grace of God, some of these see the error of their ways and turn their lives around at some point. They clean up their act, give up their evil ways, come to church, confess their sins, and give themselves to Christ. Hallelujah! Amen!
This is wonderful! Or is it? How do those who have attended church all their lives respond to such an occurrence? It’s not that they see themselves as perfect, but they certainly did a better job than the ones I just described. Even the most loving members have doubts regarding the sincerity of this conversion.
Some are like the son who stayed home and did all that was asked of them. They are angered that this scoundrel can suddenly waltz in and receive the same blessings that they have. It just isn’t fair!
Do we have less grace because God has extended grace to this one we deem unworthy? No, God blesses us with sufficient grace to meet our needs. God calls us to celebrate this one who was lost but now is found. No matter when we confess our sins, we are welcome. Hallelujah! Amen!
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Thank you for loving us no matter what. We are a peculiar lot who get caught up in what is fair, but you love us anyway. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Jesus will always welcome us home.
Welcome all who come home! Pastor Liz