When he came to himself.

Luke 15:17-20, “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

This parable has come to be known as that of the prodigal son, but as one of my teachers recently observed, the real prodigal (it means characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure) in this story is the father. We get a glimpse of the way our father in heaven loves us when we come to our senses! Even though we may run away, despising a relationship, squandering his many gifts, when we turn to him he greets us, runs to meet us and rejoices over us, just as in the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. Are we ready to receive his amazing grace, to celebrate with all that he has for us?

We thank you for your amazing grace, that you rejoice over us when we turn to you, Lord!

ESV Lectionary