when was the last time you just opened your heart and allowed God to love you. No apologies, no excuses, no time to clean up your mess, or wash the smell of the pigs from your skin, just right where you are, unashamed acceptance for the love God has for you. 

I think we have an easy time identifying as one of the sons or even understanding their positions, but somehow we walk away feeling forgiven - at best - instead of loved. This wasn’t a story of forgiveness. This was a deep, counterculturally radical statement, that profoundly announced the unashamed love of the Father. 

The father said, “My son was lost, but now is found.” 

Why? 

Because he was out living a life away from the father? 

Because he wasted his inheritance? 

Because he dishonored or disrespected the Father? 

No. 

The son came back thinking he was only worthy to be a servant. He thought the only hope was for him to be a hired hand. You see, he had lost his identity as a child of the father.  

And the father could see it all over his face. 

So he placed a ring on his finger, a robe on his back, and proclaimed him as his son. The love of the father once again reclaimed the boy as his son. 

Did you know that the father deeply loves you. 

Jesus told this story so people would understand the depth of that love. 

But sometimes we need to stop and be loved. 

We need to forget what we’ve done, let go of how we feel, and simply be held in the arms of the Father. 

Paul reminds us this in Romans 8:38-39

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.