April 23 2025

Wednesday April 23

Luke 15:20-24 – The Father's Embrace

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”

When I was growing up, I had a father who was a very committed follower of Jesus, but was also very strict, and honestly, I had a fear of him and his punishments. If I got caught doing something bad, I dreaded coming home and facing my dad. I knew that he was going to meet me with a belt or paddle in his hand and that he would be very angry at me for disgracing him. I got many whippings that I deserved. (By the way, my brother Mark got a whole lot more.) This picture of my father growing up made it tremendously hard for me as a young believer, because for years I pictured our Father God in the same way.

It was this parable of the prodigal son, that eventually gave me a better picture of God’s heart and love toward us as a believer who had willfully strayed away from fellowship with Him. The prodigal son had squandered his inheritance, lived recklessly, and hit rock bottom. Yet, when he finally decided to return home, his father didn’t wait for him to clean himself up or earn his way back. The father had been patiently looking and waiting for him to come home, he saw him from a distance, ran to him, and embraced him with love and forgiveness before the son could even finish his confession.

This is a stunning image of God’s grace. The father’s actions break all cultural norms, older men in that time didn’t run, especially not to meet a disgraced son. But this father runs because his love is unstoppable. He doesn’t just forgive; he restores. The robe, the ring, the sandals, and the feast aren’t just gifts, they’re symbols of the father’s full acceptance, sonship, and celebration. The son came home expecting rejection or, at best, servitude. Instead, he was met with mercy that transformed him from “lost” to “found,” from “dead” to “alive.”

This is God’s heart for every one of us. No matter how far we’ve strayed, no matter the weight of our shame, God is watching, waiting, and ready to run to us the moment we turn toward Him. His grace doesn’t demand perfection; it demands only our return. And when we come, He doesn’t just forgive—He restores us to our place as His beloved children, clothing us in His righteousness and celebrating our return.

But this story also challenges us to reflect: Are we living in the fullness of the Father’s embrace? Or are we still carrying the weight of guilt, believing we’re unworthy of His love? And, just as importantly, are we extending this same grace to others, welcoming them as the Father welcomes us?

Today, let this story sink deep into your heart. If you feel far from God—maybe because of sin, doubt, or shame—know that He is watching for you, ready to run to you with open arms. You don’t need to earn His love; you only need to turn toward Him. Take a moment to confess anything that’s keeping you distant and trust that His grace is enough to restore you.

And if you’ve already experienced His forgiveness, ask yourself: How can I reflect the Father’s heart to others? Is there someone in your life who needs grace, forgiveness, or a reminder that they’re loved? God calls us to be His ambassadors, showing the same compassion and celebration for others that He shows us.

Today, if you have strayed from fellowship with the Father, come home to God. Spend time in prayer, confessing any areas where you’ve wandered and receiving His forgiveness. Let go of any shame and embrace your identity as His beloved child. Also, take the time to extend grace to someone else. Identify one person who needs encouragement, forgiveness, or love. Reach out to them with a kind word, a gesture of reconciliation, or an invitation to experience God’s love through your actions.

Prayer: Father, thank You for running to us with Your love and grace. Forgive us for the times we’ve wandered, and help us to rest in Your embrace. Give us courage to return to You fully and to share Your heart with others. Amen.

God bless!