30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 15 11-32 To seek and the save the lost - The prodigal son 22 The prodigal Father
📖 Luke 15:11-32
04Mar2020 - *The prodigal Father* - _Luke 15:11-32_ - Bible reading: _I Timothy 1:12-16_
_Luke 15:22-24 “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._
We have been looking at the prodigal son and his return to the father.
Since yesterday we have started looking at the response of the father. We looked at the father’s grace on his son. On a son, who had no merit. We said that that is the place we need to be, at all times, recipients of our Father’s grace.
The adjective usage of prodigal has a second meaning - _having or giving something on a lavish scale._ (The first being _spending money or using resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant_.) The father was being prodigal.
This is how God is with us. His grace on us is prodigal in nature. Paul explains this prodigal nature of God in his life. _I Timothy 1:12-14 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, (13) although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. (14) And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus._
The prodigal nature of God made Paul who was unworthy, to be counted as faithful and God placed His ministry on Paul’s shoulders. This is our prodigal Father.
God is being prodigal for a purpose. Paul explains this for us. _I Timothy 1:15-16 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. (16) However, for this reason, I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life._
God manifests His longsuffering on us. He does this so that through His longsuffering, we are changed more and more into His image and nature. He forms His character in us so that we will be bridges for many who are out there in the darkness, in loneliness, in bitterness, in their hardheartedness, in their foolishness and pride, to come back into that intimate love relationship with Him.
*Thought to ponder*
```Are you bridging people into an intimate relationship with Jesus?```