“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father…Luke 15:17-20
When
Jesus told the story of the prodigal son, he gave an example of how one
repents. The prodigal son rejected his
father and moved away to spend his money on prostitutes and partying. Then, while he sat in a pig pen, he realized
something that led to his repentance:
·
I’ve created my
situation. I messed up. I have sinned.
·
I’m not worthy of
mercy and grace.
·
I will serve.
·
I will turn around and
go back.
Someone who repents must go through
those steps—accepting responsibility for their own actions, realizing they are
not worthy of mercy, surrendering one’s life to serve, and leaving one’s sins
behind and coming back to God. How will
God respond? Like the father in the
parable.
“But while he was still a long way off,
his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son,
threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have
sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your
son.’ Luke 15:20-21
God
is watching and waiting for all sinners to return home and he embraces anyone
returns to him. Then the person who has
repented must confess directly to God and say, “I have sinned against you. I’m not worthy.” God then restores and elevates that person to
family.
“But the father said to his servants,
‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and
sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and
celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive
again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:22-24
There’s
no accusations or “I told you so.”
There’s only acceptance and celebration.