Have you ever failed to ask your dad or an authority figure for something because you were afraid the person would say “no”?
Isn’t it funny how sometimes when we believe we are going to hear “no,” it is easy to back away from asking for something.
With that in mind, let me encourage you today to remember an incredible truth that Jesus shared when He was on Earth. Here we go…
The Father Shows Mercy
As Jesus was speaking, He shared three parables to the disciples, Pharisees, and other religious leaders about a lost sheep, coin, and son.
In the story of the lost son, Jesus shared about a younger son, an older son, and their father. In the verses below, notice how the Father responds to them:
1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:…
20 “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.21 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.’
22 “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.23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. …
28 Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.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.’”(Luke 15:1-32)
Did you notice how the father responded to both boys?
Jesus Emphasizes the Father’s Mercy, Compassion, and Forgiveness
When the younger son was a long way off, the father ran toward him. The father did not wait for him to give his rehearsed speech. Instead, the father quickly demonstrated his mercy, compassion, and gave him mercy.
When the older son rebelled, the father went to him, pleaded with him, and showed compassion.
Friend, whatever you have done, wherever you are, or whoever you are, our Father comes toward you today offering mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. That’s great news to start our day and week!
Hear the full story as I told it at Sonrise yesterday:
