The Father’s Embrace
In Luke 15, Jesus tells the parable of a young man who decides he doesn’t want to live within the confines of what his father has destined his life to be, so he leaves his father’s house and goes to a faraway place. Scripture says he spent all his substance and strength on himself.
When we become self-focused, we lose touch with God’s heart and his created purpose for our lives on earth. We no longer live our lives for the sake of others.
The young man in the parable loses sight of his calling. Scripture says, “But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want” (Luke 15:14, NKJV). Self-gratification is a horrid task master. It always leads us to a place we don’t want to be.
The son travels far from his father’s heart, but God sends a famine of mercy. He is hungry and empty, and God uses it to bring the son home. God will do whatever he has to do to get our attention and bring us home.
Then the Bible says, “He came to himself” (Luke 15:17). It’s like his mind had an awakening. He thought, “What am I doing here? I was created for a divine purpose, but I rejected it.” He travels back home but feels like he has ruined his relationship with his father. He feels unworthy.
Then the beauty of this story is revealed: “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” (Luke 15:20). The father ran, opened his arms, and embraced his son.
In this parable Jesus shares God’s heart. You may feel like you’re a million miles away from God. Perhaps the calling that you felt on your life is so far off that you can’t even see it anymore. But God sees you and loves you!
Remember, the cross has the final word. When you go to the cross, the blood of Jesus Christ covers all your sins. Wherever you’ve been, whatever you’ve done, you are covered. You are forgiven. When the Son of God spread out his arms, he opened his heart to you. When you are clean, you are clean. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!
Carter Conlon joined the pastoral staff of Times Square Church in 1994 and was appointed senior pastor in 2001. In May of 2020, he moved into a continuing role as general overseer of Times Square Church, Inc. Carter is also a World Challenge board member.