| Photo by Rémi Walle on Unsplash
In Luke 15, we see the journey of the prodigal son, and we see that after he lost everything in life, he began the journey of repentance and turning back to his father.
Repentance means to turn around and go back. But repentance is not just about saying the words or thinking about what we should do; it means getting up, turning around, and returning to what God wants.
We see that the prodigal son got out of the pig pen and returned to the father. Luke 15: 20-21, “So he RETURNED him 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. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.”
Repentance means returning! The son humbled himself and went back to His Father. I can imagine what that journey back to His father must have been like. The prodigal son was probably playing it out in his mind back home. What is my father going to do? Is my father going to reject me? Is my father going to discipline me? Is my father going to allow me back home?
Those are the same things we play in our minds when we think about God as our Heavenly Father. I have sinned against God, and what will He do with me? Will He reject me? Will He kick me out?
But look at the response of the Father when he sees His Son. This is the response that God will have for you and me.
The father responded with love and compassion! His son was lost, broken, and poor, and when the Father saw him, he responded with love and compassion. That is the love of God, and that is how He feels about you and me!
The father ran towards the son! God’s Word says: “If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.” If we come to the Father, the Father will come near us. God is just waiting for us to get up and move toward Him.
The father embraced the son! That is love in action, and God loves you and will accept you, embrace you, and love you no matter where you are and what you have done.
How did the son respond? He repented and asked for forgiveness of all of his sins! “If I confess me sins, He is faithful and just to forgive me of all my sins, and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.” And this should be our response to our Heavenly Father.
Why would I not make the journey home to my Heavenly Father?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the Lead Senior Pastor of the International Christian Church (ICC) at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and significant emotional life experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is getting rave reviews. His daily devotional appears in this publication.
