By David ReayMonday 24 Sep 2018LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 2 minutes
Read Luke 15:18-24
18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
20 “So he returned home 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. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son’
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. (NLT)
When we think of the word ‘repentance’ we may have images of our crawling over broken glass in utter misery to bring ourselves to the feet of a deity who stands arms-folded and lips pursed glaring down at us. Not something we like to think about at all in that case.
This familiar parable tells a different story. Repentance is a turning back towards home. A recognition that the pigsties you pursued are not the place for you. You belong back with your Father and you decide to head back home. It involves sad recognition and often involves some regret and hardship.
But repentance is good news in that there is a home to which we can return. There is a Father waiting for us, even scanning the horizon to spy us, even rushing headlong to embrace us. The bad news of being lost is surpassed by the good news of being found.
When we repent, we are not subject to endless stern lectures, or finger-wagging gestures telling us we are on our last chance. We are not made to feel miserable: after all, we can do that all on our own! When we repent, according to this story, God throws a party.
Blessings
David Reay