September 3rd
RETURN OF THE LOST SON (Continued)
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11 – 21
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Beginning with verse 17 above, the young man came to himself. This point helps us see that he was out of his true mind. Hence, the father’s substance not only keeps the body but the soul as well. Once he gets his mind back on spiritual things, the first thought is the bread of even the servants in his father’s house! When one’s mind turns to the Bread of Life, Christ Jesus our Lord, he comes immediately to the one he truly is in spirit.
I will arise and go to my father! This young man was beginning his ascent to father and knew that confession was imperative to receive the blessing. His behavior had not been consistent with a son and in the mighty famine or separation from his father, his eyes were opened and he was ready to serve. In verse 20 above, one can see the act of faith putting grace into full operation. Father meets one in the journey home because once all is joy.
Continued