February 10, 2009
DAY 24
Posted by KI Contributor
Scripture: Luke 15:1-32
The Father’s Heart
The father’s heart is terribly broken by the younger son and he endures great shame in the village when this son says, “I wish you were dead, so I can get my hands on my portion of the inheritance!” When this son renders to cash in all the land, buildings, and livestock, the villagers and relatives must have been enraged as, overnight, they lose their source of livelihood and income. It is such a contrast to the kinsman-redeemer story of Boaz (Ruth 4:1-12).
After squandering everything, the younger son returns to the father. If the villagers/relatives get to this son first, he is sure to be stoned by everyone (Deut. 21:18-21). The compassionate father, however, wants to go and save him before the villagers kill him. To run fast, he must lift his long multiple-layered robe, exposing his legs to his own unthinkable shame and to everyone’s great chagrin and dismay (like the story of David and Michal in 2 Sam. 6:12-21). The father embraces the dirty and unclean son, kissing him again and again. He puts his best robe on him and sandals on his feet, restoring his dignity and sonship. He then throws a great feast of celebration.
The father’s heart is broken even more by the older son, who remains silent when his younger brother wishes their father dead. When the father divides his inheritance to his sons, this older son does not protest and try to defend the father’s honor. There’s no righteous indignation, but rather a silent opportunistic acceptance of his double portion as the eldest son. This son didn’t leave the father’s land physically, but he was surely long gone from the father’s heart emotionally and in every imaginable way possible. This son never does return to the father, even when the father stops in the middle of a celebration and goes outside to try to reach out to him. This son, who is now a village elder (a presbyteros, v. 25), has the responsibility to maintain the custom and values of the village life. Rather than yielding to the compassionate heart of the father, the older son (Pharisees and scribes, v. 2) chooses to uphold the tradition by crucifying “the compassionate father” on the cross a few days later.
Father, how costly it is to have the Father’s heart. Yet, I desperately want to be more like you and cultivate this heart of compassion for both the younger sons and older sons of this world.
PRAYER FOCUS: Prisoners and Their Families
Pray that prisoners will hear the Gospel and follow Jesus; for fellowships of believers to multiply in prisons. Pray for their families to be protected and provided for and honored rightly. Also pray that released prisoners will find strength and wisdom to live restored, abundant lives.
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