Luke 15:11-32
The beautiful picture painted for us
in the prodigal son is amazing to ponder. We often talk about the son and the
father, the choices made, and the redemption found. But, have you ever thought
about the love that never failed? The father never stopped loving his sons.
Even when one went wayward, he still loved him and loved him dearly. I heard
someone say to their child the other day, “Even if you make mistakes and do
wrong, I still love you the same.” I know how it feels to think someone’s love
may leave you. I know what it is like to worry that you will do enough wrong or
the one wrong thing for their love to end. It makes for tear-filled nights and
days filled with an aching heart. It causes things to be done, and a life lived
out of fear. One day, I don’t remember when but I realized God is not that way.
God’s love never ends. You cannot do
enough wrong for God to stop loving you. That doesn’t mean His punishments or
the consequences of your sins are gone. It does mean He is the prodigals son’s
father eagerly awaiting your return and doing everything He can to make the
pathway possible, visible, easy, and smooth. We see Joseph show this same love
when his brothers and family come to him in Egypt (Genesis 45:1-15). That is
the love we see Christ exhibit on the cross when He asked for His persecutors
to be forgiven (Luke 23:34a). God wants us to live a life not in fear of losing
His love but in pure joy that we have it. That’s the kind of love God wants us
to be filled with.
Steve Johnson
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