Two Sons and a Loving Father

In Luke 15:13-19, Jesus tells us the story of a wayward son, saying,

“The younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’”

The response of his father is a beautiful picture of how our heavenly Father feels about us. Jesus continues,

“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. … The father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found’” (vv. 20-24).

No matter what we have done, our heavenly Father still loves us. His love is unconditional, and His love never fails. We may break His heart with our behavior, but we cannot quench His unfailing and everlasting love for us.

The father’s other son was not happy. He was in the field working, and he was angry to see that his unfaithful brother was being thrown a party. He pointed to his works as the reason his father should bless him, saying,

“I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat to celebrate with my friends” (v. 29).

 “My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours” (v. 31).

He reminded the older sibling that he was not one of his workers, he was his son. This son didn’t understand his position. He worked hard for his father, but he did not know his father. He was complaining about a goat even though he had been given an entire farm!

I usually relate more to the older son, especially when I say, “Hey God, I’ve done all these things, yet You have not blessed me in the way I had imagined.” I have often thought that my good behavior warranted God’s blessing. The truth is God’s blessings are always freely given and totally underserved. We are blessed because of His kindness and, in His wisdom as our Father, He does not bless us all in the same way. But He is and always will be the pure essence of unconditional love and acceptance.

Pray with me: Lord, I want to thank You today for your unconditional love. Forgive me for ever thinking that what I do causes You to love me more or love me less. Your love is constant. Please help me today to comprehend the height, breadth, and depth of Your unconditional love for me. Amen.

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Scripture is quoted from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.