15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 15:12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of `thy' substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 15:13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. 15:15 And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 15:17 But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: 15:19 I am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 15:23 and bring the fatted calf, `and' kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: 15:24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 15:26 And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 15:28 But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him. 15:29 But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and `yet' thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 15:30 but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf. 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine. 15:32 But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive `again'; and `was' lost, and is found.
This is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible to me. There are so many angles to come at in this passage. But, the one that touches me the most, is that his father had open arms, after all his screw ups, he welcomed him back and had a party, saying "He was dead, and is alive 'again' and 'was' lost, and is found."
Can you imagine it, starving, dirty, and in shame, eating with the pigs? Coming to your senses, but not knowing if you would be received or cast away forever? Knowing you had to ask forgiveness for all you'd done? And then the open arms, the love, the bringing into the family, the celebration of you returning!!!!! That deep exhaling in relief, peace, and joy!!!!! Yes, if you can see this and feel it....then you know my DADDY!
Our Abba Father loves us and waits with open arms!!!!!!!!!!
I too love this passage. Not only love it, but lived it. Not only lived it, but live it. Not only live it, but live because of it!
"and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him"
I have heard it taught that men of dignity in that era did not run. To run was to show a sign of weakness. Men of power and nobility walked and never ran. So as much as is contained in this passage, when I learned of that added truth it amplified even more God's amazing love for me and you!
Michael: This is just awesome....I read it four times!!!! I too love this passage. Not only love it, but lived it. Not only lived it, but live it. Not only live it, but live because of it!
This could be a poster verse!!!!!!! Thanks so much!
My friend I guess that is how we must have looked to God when we came home starving, dirty, ashamed and had eat with and lied with some pigs yet God welcomed us back into the family and everyone rejoiced
Hi Cinder's. That story is a perfect example of not asking for something unless you can handle it. Secondly, its only when you've visited and tasted the pig-pen in life that you appreciate what really matters. Whether it be me, you or anybody else, when you've had a taste of what pigs eat, these are the prime people that God puts into people's lives as an example to not go there unless they can handle it. Thank God, God accepts these people - to irritate the life out of people who want it, and want it NOW. And lastly. When someone accepts someone - despite all they've done, that's a sign of maturity. Great word Cinder's. And just for you, I've added something. Get my meaning?
15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 15:23 and bring the fatted calf, `and' kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: 15:24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found
I WAS LOST BUT NOW I AM FOUND \O/ \O/.... Thank you Father, Thank you
God is soooo good, and forgiving. His arms just scoop us up and he whispers in our ear, welcome home, once you were lost, but now you are found. Thank you Jesus.
Thank God that I have a Daddy in Heaven, because as you know I didn't have much of one here on earth! I love you and thank you for standing by me while I came to grips with this!
He takes us back again, and again. It's amazing to me how many times I have to crawl back to Him. Him, who loves me so much still allows me to be human and make mistakes. To live. But to really live is to turn back toward Him and fall into His open arms. Thanks for sharing this. It's such a wonderful reminder!
God, Jesus and Holy Spirit are three in one. Matt 28:19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
It does not say "names" as in plural....but "name as in one. They are 3 in 1.
Matt 6:9 Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who art in heaven
Jesus gave us this prayer while on this earth....and he prayed to Our Father, who art in heaven.....
We needed the bible, about 14 centuries before Christ walked on this earth, our Bible had it's beginning. God spoke to Moses and Moses began writing the Bible's first 5 chapters. Over the centuries, some 40 men and women served as channels for God's Word......our instruction book.