A Long Way Off...

Lenten Reflection

Scripture:  Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32  - "But while he was still a long way off..." (verse 20 - BibleGateway.com)

Observation:  This is a very familiar passage of scripture to me.  Each time I read it, I pray for God to show me something new.  The phrase that spoke to me this time around is "But while he was still a long way off..."  While the son who had squandered everything was still a long way off - his father ran to him and had compassion on him.

Application:  Have you ever been a long way off?  I mean so far off that you thought there was no hope.  There may be people in your life who are trying to get back on track.  They once walked with Christ but because of hard times, addictions, divorce, adultery, lying and/or resentment, bitterness, hatred - they decided to go down the wide road.  It is very easy when we see him a long way off - down the road - for us to condemn or to say that there's no chance for him to get back on track.  However, in this passage we see that the father places no blame and instead shows compassion.  This is why we see sinners and outcasts being drawn to Jesus at the beginning of this chapter.  Jesus placed no blame but was always filled with compassion - grace and truth!  Jesus did not want to sit around and remind the tax collectors and sinners of how they had done wrong; instead Jesus wanted every sinner sitting around him to know that the lost can be found - the dead can rise again - that there's a resurrection going on!

Kneel:  Give us the courage to run to those in need!  Fill us up with your spirit and send us out with compassion!  Amen!