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This week we are continuing our study of Luke Chapter 15. Please read verses 20-32 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 15:20-24 (New Living Translation)
‘“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.’
I’ll always remember my graduation ceremony. It was something that I would never have been thought possible when I walked out of school with so few qualifications. Unquestionably supported by my amazing wife, and financially aided by both sets of parents I finally made my way to Cardiff to be formally ‘admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Science’. Arriving at the hall with many, many others, I had to make my way to the room where I would be picking up my robe. It took ages standing in line but I eventually took possession of this flowing black gown with golden collar and sash. It really didn’t matter that there were hundreds of other people wearing exactly the same thing. For me, this was the culmination of years of effort. It was the fruit of unstinting sacrifice on Cath’s part and the produce of sacrificial financial giving by our parents. I was grateful and proud in equal measure as I took my place alongside my fellow graduates.
I have ‘painted’ quite an arrogant picture of achievements here just to bring a start contrast to our study today. The younger son had taken a third of his father’s estate, had spent every last penny, was homeless, destitute and had been feeding pigs to scrape together something just to sustain his life. Now he had returned to his father in what can only be imagined as ‘an awful state’ and yet what we see is something that can scarcely understood by most people. The father didn’t ask that he take a shower or clean himself up. Instead, he’d ran toward his long-lost son, hugged and kissed him. There was no thought of how dirty the son was. The father was so pleased to have his son home again.
Then he sends for ‘the finest robe in the house’. My graduation robe was one of a long line of garments given out to anyone prepared to pay for it. This robe was given entirely out of love and grace. The son didn’t work for it, he couldn’t say he would pay for it and for sure, he didn’t deserve it. Yet, the father’s love abounded toward him and dressed him in robes that spoke of family and belonging. The son was home and he would have all the benefits of sonship granted to him, entirely by grace.
We too, having surrendered our lives to Christ, are dressed in robes of righteousness that have been given to us. We didn’t deserve them, and yet we have them. Today, relish the reality of our position in Christ. Not in any arrogance or boastfulness but rejoice in His amazing Grace!
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