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Monday, July 28, 2008

When God Ran... Part 1

The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11-24
11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.
12 The younger one said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the estate." So he divided his property between them.
13 Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you."
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men."
20 So he got up and went to his father. 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.
21 The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
22 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.
23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate.


This particular father had two sons. One day, the younger son decided that it was time for him to get his share of property from his father because he believed that it was time for him to be independent. So, his father gave him what he wanted; a car, one million dollars, a condo, credit cards, and many more. Once he got what he wanted, he left his home. He led a life of partying, shopping, gambling, drinking, merrying; He thought he had everything in the world. Not long after, he had to sell his car, his condo and all that he had to support his wild living. Yet, he never realised his mistake, not even once. Soon enough, he had no more money; he was bankrupt. Instead of going back home, becaue he wanted to save his face, he tried to get employed. His job was so low paying that he could not afford to eat everyday. His life was so miserable. He realised that his father's workers were all living in comfort, thirst and hunger were never a concern for them. He decided to go back home to find his father to say sorry, and to ask his father to hire him as a worker because he feel that he no longer deserve to be his son.

On his way home, some distance away, his father saw him. His father's heart melted because he still loved his son and he longed for his return. Without a second thought, he ran towards his son immediately, hugged and kissed his beloved son. He exclaimed, "My son is home! He's home! He's home!" The father had joy spelt all over his face. The son told his father that he's no longer worthy to be called his son because of what he had done. Instead, his father told his servant to cover his son with the best robe, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. He even celebrated his son's return with a great feast.

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