“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him… But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.’”
Luke 15:20, 22

In Luke 15, we have a parable with three parts, each describing a different aspect of the love of God that never gives up on anyone. In verses 1–7, we see the seeking Shepherd who goes after the straying, lost sheep. This pictures the love of the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep. Then, in verses 8–10, we see God the Holy Spirit pictured in the woman with the lost coin. She lights a lamp and sweeps the house until she finds that which was lost. What a beautiful picture of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives—lighting the lamp of God’s Word, shining with convicting power, and sweeping through our hearts and consciences.

The last picture painted on the canvas of Luke 15 is that of the Prodigal Son. The word prodigal means “wasteful.” This son had a rebellious heart and wanted the inheritance that would come to him once his father was dead. The only problem was that his father was still very much alive. But this didn’t stop the wayward son from saying, “Give me the portion of goods that falls to me.” Basically, he was saying, “Father, I wish you were dead so that I could get my inheritance.” The father gave both of his sons their inheritance, and this son ran off to a far country and spent it all on wasteful living.

When his inheritance ran out and he had used up all his resources—including taking a job feeding pigs, whose food he would have gladly eaten—he decided to head home. He had wasted his inheritance, wasted his youth, and wasted his reputation. But the whole time he was gone, his father was waiting! When he was still a long way off, his father saw him and had compassion. The son had prepared a speech and had begun to recite it, but his father covered him with kisses of reconciliation. Then the father clothed him with a robe, placed a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. All these things spoke loudly to onlookers of sonship: “My son who was dead is now alive!”

Anchors For Life
We were just like this prodigal, but God the Father was there! His heart was full of compassion, and even though we did not deserve it, He brought us into a place of sonship. Twice in this story we read, “But the Father.” May such grace overwhelm us to praise Him for all He has brought us into!