April 18, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11  And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15  And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Here is a young man who was second in the birth order desiring what was going to be his inheritance. The firstborn always received more than anyone else.  Following the first born, every male child received a bit less.

Here the young man, born second in the family, want his share immediately. He took what he had and moved away and lived a riotous life. In other words he lived a party life. He lived high on life spending his newly gained money on fun and frivolity.

This parable pictures the world today. Many are engrossed in riotous living. Living for oneself seems to be the norm today as many are captivated by the instant gratification all about me lifestyle. This young man was no different.

He fell onto bad times and his money was consumed and he struggled with life itself.

In our text we find a very interesting comment in verse 17.  “And when he came to himself”

He began to realize that the place and position he was in was outside of what was good and right. Face it he got his priorities out of place and it left him destitute.

When he came to himself; when he realized what he did was wrong. When he thought about his situation, he knew there was one place he could have been safe and secure, his father’s will.

He knew there was one answer to his dilemma. “18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,”

My friend, this man in our text realized he had sinned. He realized he had to make things right with his father.

God’s word teaches us that we all have sinned.

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The only way to have our sins forgiven is to make things right with the Father.

Psalms 103:2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

If you are struggling with sin, would you go to the Father and seek His forgiveness?

It all starts with Jesus.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook