There is a story about a young man
who took leave of his loving father with his share of inheritance and went to a
far country. There he squandered the wealth in sinful pleasures, being away
from the watchful eye of his father. A severe famine that followed landed him a
slave feeding swine. He was in agonizing hunger and longed to fill his stomach
with the husk, the swine feed, but none gave him even the husk. He then
remembered his father’s bountiful home, where there was bread enough and to
spare. His despicable condition brought him to his senses; then he arose and
went to his father.
But the loving father kept waiting
for the return of his son. He saw his son from the distance, shamefaced and
slow-stepping in dirt and rags, sores and stink. Yet the father’s heart
overflowed with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. The
prodigal thought of saying, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before
you and am no more worthy to be called your son: make me one of your hired
servants.” But the loving father met the prodigal half way and before he could
ask to be received as a servant, he said, “he was lost and is found.” The
father also commanded him to be clothed with the best robe, put a ring on his
hand and shoes on his feet, and celebrated his home coming.
You and I have strayed from the glorious presence of the loving God and live in sin and are carried away by the passions and pleasures of ‘this far country’. But God does not desire that you and I perish in our sin. And in order to restore us back home unto Himself, God sent His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ into the world, to bear the punishment of our sins. Lord Jesus Christ thus became sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Lord Jesus Christ offered Himself on the cross as the atonement for your sins and my sins. He was buried but rose again on the third day and ascended to heaven and is seated on the right hand of God. He is coming soon to receive us unto Himself. There is no other way for salvation, for there is none other name given among men, save the name of Lord Jesus Christ, whereby you must be saved. Dear reader, God is earnestly awaiting your coming back home trusting Him and with true repentance. When you confess your sins and trust in the Savior, He shall clothe you with the garment of salvation and sup with you and the angels in heaven will rejoice in this solemn event!
- by Kumar N.
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