Tuesday, September 29, 2009

September 29, 2009

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." Luke 15:22-24

Receiving the lavish love of the Father is an amazing thing!

The wayward son had abused the love of his father before when he took the money and ran. Then he misused the money by wasting it on selfish pleasures. Now he was broke and broken. He was hoping that out of the lavish love there might be a little leftover love.

Shuffling wearily up the dusty road just before dusk, he heard a sound. Could that be footsteps? Looking up he saw someone coming at him in a full sprint. He wasn't sure if he should run away from this fast approaching stranger or run toward him. The confusion was short-lived as he soon realized it was his father! His father was running to him! And the next thing he knew he was firmly locked in the embrace of his father!

"Bring the robe!" the father shouted. The servant obeyed and it was draped around his shoulders covering his filthy stained clothes.

"The ring!" demanded the father. "I need the ring! Where is that ring?!"

A servant arrived carrying a silk bag. "The ring, my master!"

Grabbing the ring and pulling it from the bag, the father reached with his other hand to clutch the hand of his son. "Here! Take the ring! I place the ring on your finger and give you authority to transact business in my name!"

You heard that right! The father in his lavish love restored to the son the very same authority he had just misused. Rather than put him on probation or take him as a hired hand, the father restored his full standing as a son! How extravagant! What lavish love!

The ring contained the family seal. When a deal was struck in the interest of the family business, a contract was drawn up, folded and then sealed with wax. Then the family crest was pressed into the wax via the ring and the "deal was sealed".

Have you ever known love like that? Have you been blessed by lavish love? Have you ever completely blown it and felt so ashamed - and then been COMPLETELY restored no questions asked? Me neither.

Our Father has lavish love like that. He is extravagant! His love is unconditional and He longs to bestow it on you! When you take a few weary repentant steps toward Him He runs to you! And he comes carrying a robe and a ring!