"God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast and when I run, I feel his pleasure."

Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire

Grace

Luke 15 consists of three stories or parables that Jesus told – the lost sheep, lost coin and the lost son (often called the prodigal son). The stories give us an insight into the heart of God, the God whom Jesus constantly reveals both in his actions and his teaching.

That God forgives sinners who come to him for mercy – rather than punishing us as we deserve – is remarkable. That God, in his compassion, searches out sinners, takes his love to a different level. This is the love that prompted Jesus to come to earth and die for us. So often people who are not Christians – and tragically some who are – see God as a strict headmaster who governs by fear, imposing strict rules by which we are required to live.

This passage reveals a God who loves to throw big parties. He rejoices in welcoming sinners and dining with them. Twice in this chapter we read the words “rejoice with me”. We need to rejoice more when we see God in action and to be thankful that his gracious love is extended to us.

If you believe in Jesus, you can be assured of his unconditional love. Incredibly, the fact that you have accepted his forgiveness is the cause of rejoicing among the angels. It gets better: you have been invited to a party, and I have heard a rumour that it lasts forever! That is who you are. That is how much God loves you. You don’t have to earn it, which is just as well because you couldn’t. So whatever you’re doing today, do it in the knowledge that God loves you and that you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. The following quote puts it better than I can.

“The grace of God means something like this: here is your life. You might never have been, but you are, because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you” Frederick Buechner.

All the best thoughts in this devotion were shamelessly stolen from Daniel McGinnis, Encounter with God, Scripture Union 29 October 2019

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