36th Day of Lent- Tuesday in Holy Week- Luke 15:20- Trust

 

When the younger son asked for his share of his inheritance, it would have been an insult to his father.  It's like saying, "You're already dead to me.  We're no longer going to be in a relationship.  You've died."  But there was  something deeper between these two, deeper than a relationship broken over money.  There was love- the love of a father for a son, and a son for a father.  The love was there, even though it was covered up by the hurt caused by the son's request for his inheritance and the poor decisions that followed.

The son, in the midst of his pain, still knew of his father's love.  Even if his motive was just to survive and rebuild his life, he still knew he could go back.  It would not be easy, but the door was still open. 

God never closes the door on us.  More than that, as the author suggests, God's love is like a magnet that pulls us back.  God's Spirit is always at work, not forcing us to return, but giving us that opportunity over and over again.  How fortunate we are that we have such a loving God, a love made abundantly clear on the cross.  As Jesus said, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."  He will draw all people.  Even a disobedient son who once considered him dead.  Even us.  Thanks be to God.