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The Father's Heart

Let's Pray:

O Lord, we praise You that Your abundant mercy is our daily song; we can never exhaust speaking it. Without Your mercy, we are the most pitiful people.

Hymn:1052

I've wandered far away from God,
        Now I'm coming home;
The paths of sin too long I've trod,
        Lord, I'm coming home.
Coming home, coming home,
        Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms for love;
        Lord, I'm coming home.

Today's Verses and Footnotes: Luke 19:1-27
Key Verse:
Luke 15:20	And he rose up and came to his own father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and he ran and fell on his neck and kissed him affectionately.
Luke 15:22	But the father said to his slaves, Bring out quickly the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
Luke 15:23	And bring the fattened calf; slaughter it, and let us eat and be merry,
Luke 15:24	Because this son of mine was dead and lives again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to be merry.

Life Supply:

If we read carefully the parable of the loving father [in Luke 15], we shall see that while the prodigal son was still squandering the father's riches, the father was waiting for him to come back. When the son came to himself and decided to go to his father, he prepared what he would say to him: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants" (15:18-19). What would you have said to the father if you had been the prodigal son in this parable? Perhaps you would have said to yourself, "I am going back to my father's house. But what shall I say, and what shall I do when I get there? Should I knock on the door? Should I call out, 'Father, I'm home'? I feel ashamed and foolish for squandering everything my father gave me. I cannot bear to recall the way I have been living. I know for sure that my father will not be outside waiting for me. Probably he will be in the house relaxing and enjoying life. Everything is fine with him, but not with me. Oh, what shall I do when I get home?"

To the prodigal son's great surprise, "While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion; and he ran and fell on his neck and kissed him affectionately" (v. 20). Perhaps the prodigal said to himself, "This is like a dream! I didn't call out or knock on the door, but my father comes running to me. Now he is embracing me and kissing me!"

The father…said to his slaves, "Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf; slaughter it, and let us eat and be merry; because this son of mine was dead and lives again, was lost and was found!" (vv. 22-24).

After coming back to his father, the prodigal son enjoyed all the riches of God's provision in His salvation…. Therefore, he could become a very happy person. With his father he could eat and be merry. What a pleasant picture this is! (Life-Study of Luke, pp. 300-301)

Questions:

1. What is the Father's heart toward us? (See Luke 15:20 note 1, note 2, note 3)

2. Please explain why we can eat and be merry because of Father's love? (See Luke 15:23-24, 23 note 1)

3. What should we do, since all things are now ready? (See Luke 14:16-17, 16 note 1)

Tomorrow: The Savior Went Straight ahead Boldly