You can read the passage for today here
Following the theme of the joy of God, and Heaven, of each and every person who returns to relationship with the Father, today’s passage is the well-known story of the Prodigal Son. Given what we read yesterday, it is clear (to me at least) that this is a story primarily designed by Jesus to show the posture of God towards those who return to Him – He is waiting with open arms. We could be returning from a long time away, or returning on a daily basis to the source of our life and hope, but just as we are built to worship God and celebrate Him, so He seems to have it in His character to delight in us and celebrate us. There’s also a warning in this passage, for believers who are faithful and don’t wander off the path to the dramatic extent of some others. That warning is to avoid jealousy, to be content, to grow in the awareness of the blessing and privilege that is yours to be given “all that I have”. Don’t seek attention from God (it is already lavished on you) or Church (which is for God’s glory not ours), delight in what you have already, everything God has for you. We can all wish for a dramatic testimony, but the truth of it is that the drama of the Passion, when Jesus fought for and won His victory, is enough. Let’s be thankful for that. Like yesterday, I feel a bit for the other brother in this story. Rhetorically, Jesus, and Luke are, I think, pushing us in that direction. What’s crucial in this story though is that both brothers ended up with the inheritance their father longed to give them.
So, a question or several: do you perceive that you have been brought from darkness to light, or shades of grey? If you think it’s shades of grey, how have you changed since you begun a relationship with God? If you don’t know God, have you ever thought that all of heaven is waiting to rejoice as you return to Him? What does that feel like? If you have returned, are you continuing to grow in the faith and joy of your salvation as you work it out in fear and trembling?