Lesson 90: The Father Who Forgave (Luke 15:20b-24)

It’s tough to be a good dad, especially during those times when one’s children don’t seem all that concerned with being, well, good children. But what a picture of grace we see in the father who welcomes his wayward/prodigal son. This exuberant dad takes center stage and creates for us a picture of our heavenly Father loving the sinner who repents. The son is not able to even complete his journey or his rehearsed discourse because of this pursuing, forgiving father. We’re challenged once again in this message to join God in rejoicing when the lost repent. The next segment of this parable provides us with the opportunity to see the love of God in His work of reconciliation. It’s a love that the people of Jesus’s day would have seen as ridiculous and shameful; it’s a love that we cannot do without.

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff