March 25 | Luke 15:24-32

Pamela Mann
Mar 25, 2025
2 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Homecoming

By Pam Mann

Jesus first tells this familiar story to an odd assortment of folks: Pharisees and law experts, on one hand, and, on the other extreme, tax collectors and “sinners.” The two groups have different social standing, different ideas of what God wants, and different ideas about Jesus. They're polar opposites within the small world that is first-century Judaism. Jesus tells this rich story so that both groups might see their need for grace and how eager God is to bestow it. Jesus wants them and us to know that, though polar opposites, they have massively huge in common. They have a tender, forgiving heavenly Father.

In the story, the absent son hit rock-bottom. He knows he’s screwed up and has headed home to admit just that to his dad. It's the son who never left home who now has the bigger problem. Now this son, Mr. I-never-go-anywhere, explodes in anger at the celebration which his jerk brother's return has inspired. In unleashing his pent-up rage, this older lost son reveals to his dad his resentment and his poor grasp of what his father is all about. This son, though physically present, has also been distant from his father’s heart.

How disappointing for this magnanimous patriarch when his stay-at-home son reveals how far he also has been from the father’s priorities. Neither son sees the world as their father does. Each son is self-serving, ever on the lookout for what best serves himself. Each son feels entitled to his inheritance with no sense of gratitude to their father. Neither of these two characters deserves such a generous father. Kinda like us, huh?

The good news for us in this rich story is that our heavenly Father loves and forgives both of his lost sons. The nature of our lostness makes no difference to how fully and compassionately the Father welcomes us. The specifics of what has sucked us away from a tender vibrant connection to our gentle Father are like water under the bridge.

Our sorted pasts are forgiven and forgotten at great price. A great price was paid and now the way home is paved with grace and mercy. Lift up your weary head and behold the goodness of your God. Open your eyes to see your heavenly Father running to you with open arms. Know the freedom his forgiveness brings. A new life awaits.

PRAYER

Thank you, Father, that You are running to me with open arms. No more excuses. I’m coming home to You. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.