02 February 2009
In Luke 15 Jesus tells the "Story Of the Lost Son". The younger son makes a shameful request of His father to give him his share of his inheritance. After greatly offending his father he leaves home to live a life free from his father's rules. He isn't thinking about the future but living only for the moment. He squanders all He has and suffers the consequences of His foolish decisions. In verse 17 he comes to his sense and relaizes that maybe this wasn't such a good idea. He swallows his pride and begins back to his father's house. his plan is to work for his father trying to pay back what he squandered in order to be welcomed back into the family.
Have you ever wondered why the father never went searching for his son? What exactly would he say to his son to make him return? We cannot help those that do not want to be helped. The father knew that there was no way of talking his son out of his decision. Therefore He waits patiently and anxiously much like a worried parent who doesn't know where their son or daughter might be. How relieved must the father been upon seeing his son from a distance and casting all dignity aside, he shames himself by running to welcome home his wayward son. He didn't care what anybody thought at that moment it was all about being with his son. We read that the father was full of compassion and love. Did you notice that the father never says "what have you done with my money" or "do you know the shame and embaresment you have caused us, you are no longer my son!"? The father knows that his son has realized the he was wrong and that he sinned.
Jesus' story teaches a valuable lesson about the heart of Father God that he is always ready to recieve those that realize that they were wrong or sinned. Furthermore He restores to him fully as a son once again. When He left he was full and now He returns utterly empty yet the Father by His amazing loves restores him again. This is the Love of father God in all its glory.
In this study students learned that if they listen and obey life would be eaiser and more blessed. But if they don't obey they bring shame and heartache not just upon their parents but upon themselves as well. They are encouraged to obey their parents because through their guidance they are trying to give their children the very best kind of life to their kids as a they parent them according to God's word. This is but one of the life principles we have considered in our study.
