Devo Day 1: In His Embrace...

Reference: Luke 15:11-20 - The Parable of the Lost Son

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “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! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But 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.

(New International Version, ©2011, http://www.biblegateway.com/)

Thoughts:

For years I have read this story and focused on the son. I identify with walking away, finding my own “pig pen” and then making that repentant turn to come home. I will never forget the moment I realized, though, how much our Father reveals about HIMSELF in this passage. Re-read it if you need to!

He’s the Father that’s yearning…

He’s the Father that’s running towards us…

He’s the Father of the embrace…

Jesus didn’t come to only tell us ABOUT his Dad. He came to open the door for US to be restored to our heavenly Dad too!!! His cross made that possible. We too can live EVERY SINGLE DAY out of that relationship. It’s so much more than any of us ever dreamed. It’s life in the embrace…

Reflection:

Do you live a life marked by the embrace of the Father? Is there a particular situation in your life that needs the “embrace”? Invite Him into that. What are some practical steps you can take to move towards the “embrace” in that situation?

Optional Song: “Amazed” by Desperation Band (Jared Anderson)