Outrageous grace

The famous 'Prodigal Son' story... head to Luke 15 to recap. Even if we're familiar with the story, here's something we may not know: the son who demanded the father's inheritance was breaking serious boundaries. In the culture of the time, going to your dad and asking for your share of the inheritance was really saying, 'Dad, I wish you were dead.' How often do we walk away from God and our home in him? How often do we wish deep down that he didn't want certain things for us, so we could go our own way? If we've been there and want to return like the son did, today's reading is for us.

What's more astounding than the son's disobedience is the father's grace-filled reaction: he 'saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him' (Luke 15:20 NIV). Jesus knew, as he told this parable, that the father's extravagance was outrageous. And that was 100% on purpose. He wants us to link the dad's reaction to God's.

How outrageously have we sinned against God? Jesus sees it, and wants us to know he will meet us with an even more outrageous grace.



So what now? Thank God that he keeps no record of when you've wronged him (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Keeping a record of things you've done wrong? Show yourself outrageous grace and throw your arms around yourself.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Father, I have sinned.' Luke 15:18 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Neh 5-7, Mark 12:1-12, Ps 78:1-8, Pro 23:19-21