Repentance and Faith
Many parents have experienced the terrifying feeling of momentarily losing sight of your child, frantically searching for them, and then the joy of finding them and knowing that they are safe. In Luke 15:11–24; Jesus told the parable of a son who was lost and the joyous celebration of the father and his household when the son returned to him. Jesus’ point was that God, our Father, set the example as He rejoices to see anyone repent and come back to Him. He eagerly and faithfully forgives us and restores us into His family and into full relationship with Him. That was the invitation of salvation through repentance and faith that Peter preached to the Jewish unbelievers in Acts 2:38–39. I pray that we would all join God in rejoicing over all who turn to God in repentance, and receive salvation through faith in Jesus. Amen
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. (Luke 15:11–16)
Jesus had been teaching on the joy in finding lost things. His audience was composed of those who were viewed as sinners by the religious community, as well as some from the religious community who had condemned Jesus for His willingness to fellowship with these sinners. After offering parables about a lost sheep being joyously found and returned, and an overjoyed widow who found her lost coin, Jesus began this parable about a son who was lost to his family and his Father.
The youngest son in this was wholly responsible for his separation from his family. Jesus made this clear through the son’s demand for his inheritance. Despite the fact that the father was still very much alive, the son’s demand for his inheritance was disrespectful and would be viewed by Jesus’ listeners as the son wishing his father was dead.
In short order, the young man ended up in dire and detestable circumstances. So much so, that he concluded that the diet and living conditions of filthy pigs were better than what he had.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:17–19)
Jesus said that the young man “came to his senses”. In other words he realized how far he had fallen and determined in his mind that he must return to what he was created to be. He began by admitting that he had sinned. And he returned home to his father to confess and repent.
As he approached his home, His father, who had been looking for his return, ran to joyously meet him even though he was still a long way off. Likewise, our father didn’t just wait for us to return. He was actively looking for us. And although we were still in sin and a long way from His righteousness, as we returned to Him, He hurried to offer us grace and salvation.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s 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. (Luke 15:20–24)
The son began his repentant confession to his father and pleaded to receive whatever little mercy his father was willing to offer him. But his father, like our Heavenly Father does for us, went beyond mercy and forgiveness and restored him to full rights and privileges as his son. The father then led his household in joyous celebration, because the son who was lost had been found and returned to him!
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38–39)
At pentecost, Peter called for people to repent (turn away from sin and return to God) and be baptized (as an outward expression of faith in Jesus). Peter said that all those who repent and have faith in Jesus will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promised gift of the Holy Spirit is available to everyone, even for those who are far away from God as well as those who are yet to be called to Him.
What a picture Jesus painted for us! Imagine God rejoicing when you turned back to Him and confessed your deep need for His mercy and forgiveness. Think about His grace in not condemning you, but embracing you and restoring you to full relationship with Him. Think about the gift of the Holy Spirit, that He gave you to signify that you enjoy all the rights and privileges accorded to His children. Remember the overwhelming relief you felt when God embraced you in His grace and pardoned your sins. And now, in that same spirit, The Father asks you to join Him in joyous celebration whenever anyone who was lost….returns to Him in faith and repentance.
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
