Today’s exhortation – the hope
Everyday, I try to offer words of hope from
the word of God, but I feel that it’s important we recognise the foundation of this hope. The Lord told the story of the prodigal son who asked for his share of his father’s inheritance and went away and spent it on wild living. When it run out, he was reduced to eating pigs food and so he decided to go back home. He said, “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. (Luke 15:18-19).
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 15:20). This is the foundation of the hope I speak from daily, it’s in The Father’s love through the cross. The same way the Father ran to his son is the same way The Lord Jesus came for us through the cross. The son returned with shame and regret, 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. (Luke 15:22-23). The act of going back home is when we give our lives to Jesus. God is so happy to see us back because He’s been longing for our return. He takes away our shame, gives us the best robe, puts a ring on our finger, sandals on our feet and rejoices over us. Hallelujah!
Francis Hans-Jorie