Title: A Father's Love/ Topic: Repentance, Forgiveness and Restoration

Today’s Reading: Zechariah 13; Zechariah 14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

Scripture: Luke 15: 11-13; 17-24; 29-32
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.

17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men 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 men.' 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 around 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.

28 "The older 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.' "

Observation: A son who has rejected his father's values comes and asks for his share of the inheritance he would get when his father dies now, before his father is dead. The father doesn't waste time trying to convince his son not to do this; he simply grants his request and lets his son leave. After foolish and wild living the son comes to his senses and returns to his father with a repentant attitude. The father's joy is overwhelming; he completely accepts his son back and throws a party to celebrate. This shows the father's full forgiveness and acceptance of the son, but there is an interesting part of the story that indicates how the father dealt with the pain of the loss of his son's place in the family. He counted him as dead. He grieved but went on as if he would never see his beloved son again. When his son returned, his joy was that of a father who has received a miracle of a resurrection of a loved one. The other interesting bit of the story deals with the elder son, whose behavior had always been one of obedience to the father. But even though he had the full attention and love of his father while his brother wa gone, he didn't share the father's values at all. He had been with his dad but had not learned to love and forgive as his father did. He had a judgmental and self-righteous, self-absorbed character. The father loved both of his sons. Neither had adopted his morals or character but the younger finally repented and became someone the father could be proud of.

Application: We need to forgive as this father did and be willing to completely restore when those who have sinned against us repent. We also need to avoid the sins of the elder son, who, though obedient, was judgmental and self-absorbed. He missed the full blessing of having such a loving and upright father. He focused only on what the father wasn't doing for him and was unappreciative of having a wonderful parent who loved him completely.

Prayer: Father, I want to gain the full benefit of having such a loving, perfect parent as you. I want to be a "mini-me" of you, totally reflecting your values and character. Thank you for being such a wonderful "daddy" to me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.