He said, “A certain man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them. Luke 15:11-12 WEB
Verse eleven of chapter fifteen in Luke’s gospel account begins Jesus’ parable of two sons. The lesson is about the love and forgiveness of a father whose younger son is given his portion of his inheritance early. He subsequently squanders this fortune living in sin.
Culturally, we know the younger of these two sons as the prodigal son. Destitute and hungry, he hires himself out to a citizen of the country to which he traveled. Starving and desperate, he plans to return to his father’s house and confess his sins in hopes that his father will use him as a hired servant so that he can eat and live.
Traditionally, the sons of a family received their inheritance upon the death of their father. But in this story of two sons, the younger son asks for his inheritance early. Typically, the oldest son would get twice the inheritance of his younger siblings. In the case of the prodigal son, it seems that he received money or sellable property while the older son remained with his father on the land that was his estate.
While He Was Still Far Off
Like the prodigal son, when we live in sin, we are squandering our inheritance in the kingdom of heaven. The parable is an example of the love of God for those who believe in him, repent from sin, and return to serve the Father. Admitting his sin, the son journeyed home to confess his wickedness to his father.
The bible records the father’s excitement and willingness to forgive as an example of how God feels about those who reject their sinful lifestyles and turn to him. We read of the son in Luke 15:20, ‘He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. WEB”
The Lord is faithful to forgive those who confess their sin and repent. God loves us even when we are still far off, covered in the dirt of our iniquity, and less than perfect. As we read in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for forgiving my sins. Help me to live according to your word and your will. Guide me in your service to share the good news of salvation by your grace through faith in Christ. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: I Pray
