There is a parable that Jesus told in the Bible about two sons (Luke 15:11-32). One day, the younger son came to his father and asked for his inheritance early so that he could go off and live life doing whatever he pleased. Even though this was an incredibly inappropriate request to ask for an inheritance before the father’s passing, the man granted his son’s request. The son then headed off to a faraway land and squandered the inheritance in reckless living. With nothing left and no one to turn to, the son came to his senses and decided to go back to his father and ask to be considered as one of his servants. With his head hung low, he headed back to his father’s house in humility, heavily burdened by the choices of his past, and as he approached, received a surprising welcome home. His father, seeing him in the distance, ran to him, embraced him, welcomed him, clothed him in fine robes, placed the family ring on his finger and threw him a feast to celebrate.
This unexpected act of grace and forgiveness demonstrates a powerful message that Christ came to share with a broken world.
To most of us, when we hear this parable, it is hard to believe this kind of instant forgiveness and grace. Our world is one that believes in things like “an eye for an eye” and “he should get what he deserves.” When people hurt or wrong us, we instinctively want to see them suffer a consequence equal to the harm they have caused us. We have an internal scorecard that, once satisfied, will then allow us to fully forgive. But this is not the way God asks us to forgive, and it is not the standard by which He forgives us.
Many of us spend our lives running from God, chasing after some form of happiness and fulfillment that never satisfies. We often find ourselves in a place of hopelessness, emptiness and despair. Just like the prodigal son, we have nowhere to turn for hope but to the Father. It is at this point in one’s life, if we are willing, that we can turn away from the old life and ask God to take us in.
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” Not because we deserve it, nor because we have earned it, but simply because He loves us. There is no price to pay, no list to complete; Jesus paid the price that you and I could not pay when He went to the Cross on our behalf. All we have to do is believe and receive His free gift of forgiveness. Are you ready to turn to your Father?
If you have questions about the newness of life Jesus Christ offers us, or would like someone to reach out to you, text GOSPEL to 97000.