MAY 05, 2025
Topic: “THE PRODIGAL LOVE
Text: Luke 15: 11-30
Memory Verse: 1 John 3:1 – “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. “
Oxford language dictionary defines ‘prodigal’ as ‘having and giving something on a lavish scale’. It is this ‘prodigal love’ that was demonstrated by the father of the lost son in today’s scriptural text. Jesus gave this important parable to describe the power of God’s love. The father’s love was characterized by always going out after his sons…first, the younger one, as mentioned in Luke 15:20, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
Second, as mentioned in Luke 15:28, “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So, his father went out and pleaded with him.” The father’s love, did not wait for any of the sons to come in full repentance or right their wrongs, but rather he went after them. This is typical of God’s kind of love. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s love is intentional, takes initiative, and is also responsive. The compassion of God moves him to help the helpless and save the unsaved. God is not going to look away from anyone who is in need of help and love. We who have received the love of God must be willing to be outgoing in showing God’s love intentionally.
God’s love does not condemn or castigate, nor does it forsake any. We must allow this power of God’s love to be replicated in us by not being judgemental and condemning. Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “where are your accusers…? neither have I condemned you, go and sin no more” God is after redeeming the erring, not destroying him. Go out today, showing God’s love intentionally and in a redemptive way and directed at someone.
PRAYER: Father thank you for the outpouring of your lavish love on me. May I never abuse it, instead, help me to appreciate it and extend it to others, Amen.