Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  2024  Day 262

September 17;      Luke 15:32;       59/260(III);      ‘Lost and Found’

Luke 15:32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'" 

The incredible love of the Father for us is seen so clearly in the parable of the prodigal son.  The prodigal son made the decision to walk away from the things of God and the Father let him.  We have been given a free will and though the Father desires that we always walk close to Him, He will allow us to wander away if we choose to.  Our ‘backsliding’ is not the will of the Father, but He knows that the world is not everything the devil advertises it to be. Verse 17 tells us that the prodigal son eventually came to his senses, realizing the ‘good times’ this world offers can quickly disappear and then completely disappoint.  He was on his way home to apologize to his Father and ask for a servant’s position.  It seems the prodigal was not aware of the Father’s forgiveness and intense love for him.  Verse 20 teaches that while the prodigal was still a great way away, the Father saw him, had compassion on His son and kissed him.   The Father restored everything the prodigal had lost and threw a party for him.  The brother, who was not happy the Father forgave the prodigal, told the Father, he never went off as his brother did and the Father never threw a party of him.  The Father told the angry brother he was always with the Father and all the Father had was his.  Finally, the Father shows all of us His heart.  He told his resentful son it was proper to throw a party for his prodigal brother.  The prodigal was ‘dead’ in his walk with the Father, but now was alive.  He was lost and now is found.  Our Father’s great love.