Luke 15:11-14, 20-24, 28-32 Father’s Love

Luke 15:11-14, 20-24, 28-32 Father’s Love

  Today is Father’s Day Sunday. May God bless and comfort all the fathers. Give thanks to God our Father for His Grace. There is an inspiring story of a father, Dick and his son, Rick. Dick quit his job for his son, who suffered paralysis from cerebral palsy. For 40 years, Dick rode with him on his bike and swam with him. To bike, Dick carried him in the front of a bicycle, and pushed him in a special wheelchair as they ran. To swim, Dick pulled Rick in a specialized boat with a bungee cord wrapped around Dick’s waist. This story shows a father’s sacrificial and true love.

  In today’s text, we read the parable of the three prodigal sons. The first prodigal son is the younger son that left home. He took his share of his father’s estate, set off for a distant country, squandered his wealth on wild living, and spent everything. When he finally came to his senses and realized what he did, he repented and returned home. This illustrates a picture of a sinner that left God the Creator but turns away from his sin, repents, believes Jesus as his Savior and becomes a child of God. The second prodigal son is the elder son that stayed at home and worked for his father.  He was not happy when his younger brother returned home. He became angry and complained to his father. He is selfish prodigal son. The third prodigal son is a father and he is different than the other sons. He understands and loves his two sons. He shows compassion and love for his younger son that left home and also his elder son. In a way, he wastes his love for his sons. This is how our Father God loves us.

1. God, our Father’s love waits (11-14, 20-21).
  Verses 11-14 show that the younger son as the prodigal son. He demanded inheritance from his father and spent his wealth recklessly. When he spent everything and hit rock bottom, he repented and came home. His father waited for him patiently everyday. Verses 20-21 show that his father saw him when his son was still a long way off and ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Our Father God waits for us like this father waited for his prodigal son. God waits for us even when we leave and run away from him and even when we are lost. When we repent and believe in Jesus, He rejoices!

2. God, our Father’s love is filled with compassion (20-21,32).
  Verses 20-21 tell us that the father was filled with compassion for his son. The son said he was no longer worthy to be called his son and asked his father to make him like one of his hired servants. But his father was filled with compassion for him. He did not rebuke his son. He accepted his son and forgave him. In verse 32, the father said to his other son that they should celebrate and be glad, because his brother was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.

3. God, our Father’s love restores (22-24, 31-32).
  In verses 22-24, the father asked his servants to bring the best robe to put it on his son, a ring to put on his finger and sandals on his feet. He also asked them to bring the fattened calf and prepare a feast so they can celebrate. He did not make his son like one of his hired servants. He restored him as his own son. To the elder son, the father said, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” He reminded him their relationship as father and son. And he said, “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” This is how God Father loves us. His love waits and is filled with compassion. And He restores us. Give thanks to God for His love. Obey and respect Heavenly Father and earthly fathers. Fear God and serve His Kingdom. I pray that we will prepare for Jesus’ return as we thank Him for His death and resurrection. Amen.