Wednesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 15:17-24
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
15:17–18 When the son came to himself he realized that his sin was not only against his earthly father but in the deepest sense against heaven, that is, against God himself.
15:20 A long way off emphasizes the father’s great love; he must have been watching for the son. ran. The father cast aside all behavioral conventions of the time, as running was considered to be undignified for an older person, especially a wealthy landowner such as this man. embraced him. Literally “fell on his neck”; cf. Gen. 33:4; 45:14; 46:29.
15:21 The prodigal repeats his prepared speech (cf. vv. 18–19), but the father cuts him short before he finishes, showing that he has forgiven him.
15:22 The best robe and ring and shoes give a picture of the finest clothing, so that the son is ornately dressed. The ring may have contained a seal, indicating that he has been reconciled and welcomed back as a full member of the family.
15:23 fattened calf. Kept for special occasions (Gen. 18:7; Amos 6:4). They will eat and celebrate in thanksgiving to God and not godless self-indulgence (contrast Luke 12:19).
15:24 The son was (assumed to be) dead, but is now alive (united with the family) again: a picture of membership in God’s kingdom.
15:20 A long way off emphasizes the father’s great love; he must have been watching for the son. ran. The father cast aside all behavioral conventions of the time, as running was considered to be undignified for an older person, especially a wealthy landowner such as this man. embraced him. Literally “fell on his neck”; cf. Gen. 33:4; 45:14; 46:29.
15:21 The prodigal repeats his prepared speech (cf. vv. 18–19), but the father cuts him short before he finishes, showing that he has forgiven him.
15:22 The best robe and ring and shoes give a picture of the finest clothing, so that the son is ornately dressed. The ring may have contained a seal, indicating that he has been reconciled and welcomed back as a full member of the family.
15:23 fattened calf. Kept for special occasions (Gen. 18:7; Amos 6:4). They will eat and celebrate in thanksgiving to God and not godless self-indulgence (contrast Luke 12:19).
15:24 The son was (assumed to be) dead, but is now alive (united with the family) again: a picture of membership in God’s kingdom.
Study Questions:
- Jesus also had a heart for social outcasts. He intentionally sought out those in the margins. He ministered to the immoral woman, the tax collector. He tells the story of the prodigal son, showing us the heart of the Father. He gave the parable of the good Samaritan. While the religious leaders of the day distanced themselves from such people, Jesus leaned in and invested. Which approach does your life and relationships most closely resemble? Are you intentional about seeking out people in the margins?
- The story of the prodigal son is a beautiful picture of God's love for us. He loves us so much, and he wants a relationship ship with us so badly, that he chooses to extend grace when we least deserve it. While we LOVE getting grace, we are sometimes slow to extend it to others. Are you slow to show grace to people in your life? Who needs grace from you today? How can you show them God's love?
Pray:
- That you would seek out those in the margins.
- That you would look for opportunities to show people grace.
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