January 21, 2009
DAY 04
Posted by KI Contributor
Scripture: Luke 15:11-32
Repentance: The Call of the Kingdom
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
While Jesus demonstrated the wooing of God’s heart, He was not shy about calling for a response. He called for repentance. If sin is forsaking the living water – God Himself – to dig one’s own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jer. 2:13), then repentance is to turn back to the living water. When God woos us, He is not excusing the destructive way of life called sin. But He provides the space in which we can come to our own senses.
The call to repent is not about taking away our freedoms as many think. It’s an invitation to be embraced and restored from the brokenness which has resulted from our own “free” choices. For most people, it’s difficult to repent when things are going well. They are getting what they want for now.
In the parable (Luke 15), the prodigal son didn’t come to his senses while he was initially in his father’s house or while he still had a lot of money to party away from home. Only when he faced financial bankruptcy and betrayal by his “friends” in his time of need, did he come to realize his brokenness. Ironically, he was betrayed in the same way that he betrayed his father. He desired the father’s inheritance but not the father’s companionship. His “friends” liked to hang around him as long as he had the money. He was used. But then he used his own father.
The prodigal then decided he would return to his father. His motive was not the most pure. He was hungry. He needed food. He prepared a speech of repentance with noble words. The amazing thing is that the father didn’t even wait to hear the end of his repentance speech before he embraced him and kissed him. The return was enough. The father’s heart was filled with compassion, immediately embracing the returned son.
Father, thank You for Your embrace of all who turn to You. You are waiting with forgiveness and embrace. Let people turn to You, the Living Water. Give us the same big heart You have for everyone who is broken. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS: Educators
Pray that teachers and mentors will embrace their critical role in shaping future generations that they will impart godly wisdom to form character in their students; for renewed zeal for truth and heart for God among the educators.
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