Coming Home Devotional for the song Shout It Out The disciples asked Jesus, Teach us to pray. His response to them is a step-by-step instruction in not just how to pray, but really how to live. The third line in reads this way: Your kingdom come. Our lives as the sons and daughters of God are to reflect the coming kingdom of God. People ought to be able to look at our lives and say Thats what the kingdom looks like. And if you like celebrations, then youre in luck because the kingdom of God is a party! What, you dont believe me? Well stay with me a minute. Of the parables Jesus taught, there is probably none more memorable than what is referred to as The Prodigal Son. Lukes gospel records this story for us about a father who had two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance early and takes off for the far country and squanders it all. The older son stays on the farm, so to speak, but hes just as lost as his younger brother. The thrust of the entire parable is both sons fully returning HOME to the love of their father. Its a beautiful picture of the kingdom of God. When this reunion takes place, the father sees no other option but to bring out the best clothes and food and drink and strike up the band, and party – Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Lets 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. From reeking of death to brimming with life. From horribly lost to miraculously found. From stumbling in darkness to walking in the light. From being dazed and confused to coming to ones senses. From sulking outside to finally coming inside. From the isolation of far, far away to being embraced by the fathers arms and hearing Welcome home! In each of these dramatic movements, there is no more genuine response than to shout and sing and celebrate. Its a true picture of the journey of joy. Coming home at last. You see, contrary to cynics everywhere, there really is such a thing as happily ever after. Its called the kingdom of God, and its an eternal celebration quite literally paid for by the love of the generous Father for his children. And its coming. Yes, its coming
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 04:54:25 +0000