Meet with Love
[Luke 15:11-32 AMP]
[The Prodigal Son]
11 Then He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger of them [inappropriately] said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ So he divided the estate between them. 13 A few days later, the younger son gathered together everything [that he had] and traveled to a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and immoral living. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without and be in need. 15 So he went and forced himself on one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He would have gladly eaten the [carob] pods that the pigs were eating [but they could not satisfy his hunger], and no one was giving anything to him. 17 But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] treat me like one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us [invite everyone and] feast and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field; and when he returned and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he summoned one of the servants and began asking what this [celebration] 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 the elder brother became angry and deeply resentful and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 But he said to his father, ‘Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never neglected or disobeyed your command. Yet you have never given me [so much as] a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;
30 but when this [other] son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you slaughtered that fattened calf for him!’ 31 The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was fitting to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was [as good as] dead and has begun to live. He was lost and has been found.’
Now let’s take a quick intermission.
The father in this story represents God & Jesus
The lost son represents [sinners] when we run away from God to go down our own path.
The father in this story shows the character of God, how? By letting the son make his own decisions.
God gave us the freedom to make our own decisions, we can choose Him [God] or deny Him.
From the very beginning of time [when God created humans] He gave us a choice to follow Him or go our own way.
What I find incredible is that the Creator of the universe allows us to make our own choice. He warns us not to go but lets us choose whether or not to stay or go.
[Luke 15:12] The son asks for his share of the money and the father gives it to him.
We have a very gracious and merciful Heavenly Father that if you ask for something for long enough, He will give it to you, even if it is not in His will. Now does this make Him sad yes, but He gives us a choice and He will not make us choose Him.
Now the son wastes all his money and completely makes a mess of his life. [Luke 15:13-14]
The son has no money and probably is homeless, then a famine comes not just any famine but a severe one. He goes to find a job, well he forces himself onto a citizen of that country and ends up feeding pigs. He was so hungry, that he was willing to eat the pigs food, but no one would give him anything. [Luke 15:14]
He had to come to the end of himself, to come to his senses. When he came to his senses he went to his father.
We all have been the lost son at some point; went our own way, messed up, missed the mark and totally failed. Started coming undone, unraveling and breaking apart. When we come to the end of ourselves, we come to our senses; we feel so hungry so thirsty but nothing we find satisfies our hunger.
[ We get desperate]
A song from elevation worship pops in my mind [ O Come to the Altar]
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Fathers arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Come to your senses and run to the Father. He will meet you with arms opened wide.
[Luke 15:20] While the son was still a long while off the father saw him and ran to him, hugged and kissed him.
[ How beautiful] when we go to the Father [God], He meets us with Love.
[Luke 15:20 So he got up and came to his father, but while he was still a long way off his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him and ran to and embraced him and kissed him.]
In order for the father to have seen the son, I would image the father was outside looking at the path his son went down and hoping for his return. In 1 Corinthians 13:7 it says love always hopes.
When the father came to the son, he was not angry, in fact he was so happy to see his son return home, he threw a party for his return.
The son repented; he turned back to the right path. When you humble yourself before God and truly repent you will be forgiven, and God will lift you up.
[James 4:10 AMP 10 Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].
We have a very loving Heavenly Father, who is rich in mercy and love.
When you turn to the Father, He will run to you and meet you with love.
I hope this bring you some encouragement and I pray that you will grow to understand how much God loves you.