A New Beginning
Read Luke 15:11 – 32
“But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate (Luke 15:21-24).
About the Parable
Jesus told a parable about a rich man with two sons. The younger son asked for his share of the estate, took the money, and left home for a distant country. There, he squandered everything on wild living. When a famine struck, he hired himself out to a local citizen and ended up working in the fields, feeding pigs. No one cared for him. He reflected on how his father's hired laborers were well cared for, with more than enough bread, while he was starving. Coming to his senses, he decided to return home, ask for forgiveness, and plead with his father to hire him as a laborer. So, he set out for home.
Welcome Home
The father had been waiting for a long time. While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and filled with compassion, ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him. Ignoring his son’s suggestion that he was no longer worthy to be called his son, the father immediately commanded his servant, "Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him. Place a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet." Beyond that, he ordered the fattened calf to be slaughtered so they could eat and celebrate.
Each of the father’s gifts said something unique about his acceptance of the son:
Robe is reserved for the guest of honour.
Ring is a symbol of authority.
Sandals are not usually worn by slaves, and therefore signified his full restoration to sonship.
The fatted calf is reserved only for the most special of occasions—a sacrifice or a feast of great celebration. It symbolizes the lavishness of salvation’s blessings.
You are A Son to God
This father declared that this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found (v. 24). Such was the joy of our Heavenly Father, that there are great rejoicing, welcoming you home as sons and daughters of God.
Application
There will be skeptical people that may think that you are underserving, like the older brother in this parable, who may become angry and felt that you don’t deserve such mercy. Let not these skeptics affect you. Enter and enjoy the father’s love. You have been forgiven, you have been given a second chance as God’s new creation. Today, live life anew, seek after God’s righteousness.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for this gift of love. Thank you for welcoming me back into this family and for acknowledging me as a child of God. Teach me to know more about you and to live my new life for your purpose.
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “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! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
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