July 9, 2025
Coming Home - Part 3
Luke 15:17-19
07/09/2025
17 ``But when he came to himself, he said, `How many
of my father's hired servants have more than
enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say
to him, ``Father, I have sinned against heaven and
before you.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat
me as one of your hired servants.'' ' '' (ESV)
Yesterday, in reading the parable of the Prodigal Son, we
saw that the young man had reached the bottom. Accused by the
Law, he was living with the pigs, longing for the comfort of
knowing he was important to someone, yet finding no hope.
Jesus continued:
``But when he came to himself, he said, `How many of my
father's hired servants have more than enough bread,
but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to
my father, and I will say to him, ``Father, I have
sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer
worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your
hired servants.'' ' ''
The Law, a mirror which shows us our sin, did its proper
work. What we do when confronted with our transgressions against
God and neighbor determines our future. We can continue to
wallow with the pigs, hoping for some resolution which the world
cannot give, or we can return to our home with God.
Repenting of our sin means suffering the embarrassment when
we realize we are not in control, we are not God, we have done
foolish and hurtful things. We don't deserve God's love, yet
know that God has compassion. Thus, confronted with our
inability to overcome the guilt of our sin, we throw ourselves on
God's mercy.
May our Lord give us the strength to repent of our sin, to
return to our Father's house, and to receive His love. Amen.