A Father, Two Sons, the Church, and Israel | Part Three
The Father’s Love
Key Thought | The Father’s love does not stop at forgiveness; it restores identity, dignity, and belonging.
Key Scripture | “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him… ‘We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” —Luke 15:20–24 (NLT)
This part of the story is always emotional for me. It reveals the beauty of a father’s love that cuts through the weight of shame and failure.
There are several powerful truths found here:
Dad is waiting.
This is such a simple, yet profound truth. The father was watching for his son to return. We don’t know how long it had been, but all indications suggest it had been a long time. Still, the father never stopped waiting and never gave up hope.
This is something we must remember when it comes to the Jewish people. Though they rejected Jesus as Messiah, God has not rejected them. He is still waiting for them to return to Him. We have a tendency to move on, to shift our hope elsewhere; but God does not. He is bound by His word. He does not change. He does not shift. He remains faithful.
Dad doesn’t just forgive; He restores.
It’s important to notice that the father didn’t simply forgive his son; he restored him. He placed shoes on dirty feet, covered his shame with a robe, and put a ring on his finger so the son could once again do business in his father’s name.
While forgiveness and trust often have to be rebuilt with people, this is not how God operates. When we repent and come home, we are welcomed back fully—as sons and daughters.
This truth is deeply healing to my heart.
Dad is preparing for us to come home.
The father wasn’t just waiting; he was preparing. He had been fattening a calf in anticipation of the celebration. I love this picture. Our Father is preparing a feast so that when we come home, we can celebrate.
He is not passive in His waiting. He is actively preparing, putting everything in place for the moment we return.
Dad doesn’t lose us, but He will let us take a journey.
Hear this today: you may feel lost to yourself, but you are not lost to Him. Our God does not lose what belongs to Him. Sometimes He allows us to journey, to come to the end of ourselves, so we can truly return home.
Come home.
He is waiting.
He will restore you.
He is preparing.
And He knows exactly where you are.
Prayer | Father, thank You for Your restoring love. Where shame still lingers, let Your compassion cover me. Help me trust that You are waiting, preparing, and ready to restore all that has been lost. Teach me to come home quickly and confidently. Amen.
Reflection
Key Thought | The Father’s love does not stop at forgiveness; it restores identity, dignity, and belonging.
Key Scripture | “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him… ‘We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” —Luke 15:20–24 (NLT)
This part of the story is always emotional for me. It reveals the beauty of a father’s love that cuts through the weight of shame and failure.
There are several powerful truths found here:
Dad is waiting.
This is such a simple, yet profound truth. The father was watching for his son to return. We don’t know how long it had been, but all indications suggest it had been a long time. Still, the father never stopped waiting and never gave up hope.
This is something we must remember when it comes to the Jewish people. Though they rejected Jesus as Messiah, God has not rejected them. He is still waiting for them to return to Him. We have a tendency to move on, to shift our hope elsewhere; but God does not. He is bound by His word. He does not change. He does not shift. He remains faithful.
Dad doesn’t just forgive; He restores.
It’s important to notice that the father didn’t simply forgive his son; he restored him. He placed shoes on dirty feet, covered his shame with a robe, and put a ring on his finger so the son could once again do business in his father’s name.
While forgiveness and trust often have to be rebuilt with people, this is not how God operates. When we repent and come home, we are welcomed back fully—as sons and daughters.
This truth is deeply healing to my heart.
Dad is preparing for us to come home.
The father wasn’t just waiting; he was preparing. He had been fattening a calf in anticipation of the celebration. I love this picture. Our Father is preparing a feast so that when we come home, we can celebrate.
He is not passive in His waiting. He is actively preparing, putting everything in place for the moment we return.
Dad doesn’t lose us, but He will let us take a journey.
Hear this today: you may feel lost to yourself, but you are not lost to Him. Our God does not lose what belongs to Him. Sometimes He allows us to journey, to come to the end of ourselves, so we can truly return home.
Come home.
He is waiting.
He will restore you.
He is preparing.
And He knows exactly where you are.
Prayer | Father, thank You for Your restoring love. Where shame still lingers, let Your compassion cover me. Help me trust that You are waiting, preparing, and ready to restore all that has been lost. Teach me to come home quickly and confidently. Amen.
Reflection
- Do I believe God only forgives—or that He truly restores?
- Where might shame still be keeping me from fully coming home?
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