Two Sons & Their Father's Love
The Scripture
11-12 Then he said, “There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, ‘Father, I want right now what’s coming to me.’
12-16 “So the father divided the property between them. It wasn’t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.
17-20 “That brought him to his senses. He said, ‘All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I’m going back to my father. I’ll say to him, Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.’ He got right up and went home to his father.
20-21 “When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’
22-24 “But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time.
25-27 “All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day’s work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, ‘Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast—barbecued beef!—because he has him home safe and sound.’
28-30 “The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. The son said, ‘Look how many years I’ve stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!’
31-32 “His father said, ‘Son, you don’t understand. You’re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!’”
The Song
O Come to the Altar
Verse 1
Are you hurting and broken within
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well
Jesus is calling
Chorus 1
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Verse 2
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today there's no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes a new life is born
Jesus is calling
Bridge
Oh what a Savior
Isn't he wonderful
Sing alleluia Christ is risen
Bow down before him
For he is Lord of all
Sing alleluia Christ is risen
Verse 3
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown
Tell the world of the treasure you've found
The Thought
Jesus once told a story. A story of two sons and a father. One son worked hard for his father, the other son left and spent everything he had chasing whatever he wanted.
The son that left lost all that he had and longed to be accepted by his father.
The son that stayed wished he could have what his father had.
By the end of the story both found out what the father wanted. It was them. All he loved was his children. His arms... and His love... were both there, waiting for His children to want Him in return.
And so it is with Us and God. We are reminded in this powerful song of the incredible love of our Father God.
This song has us both sing the truth of God (in the chorus) and praise Him in worship (in the bridge). The truth is that Forgiveness was bought at a great price. We are saved. God wants us. And we are encouraged to worship by calling God wonderful savior. Praise Him!
The Altar used to be a literal place where one would bring a sacrifice to God. When we sing it now, it is a place where we offer our allegiance and humility to God. In faith we submit to Him. Sin dies. Pride dies. By faith we please God. We tell Him that we want Him more than anything.
He waits for us. He wants us. Will you come?
The Questions
Consider the questions that this story brings up:
Are you broken? Overwhelmed?
Do you think humility is for the weak? Do you see yourself as the ultimate authority in your life?
Do you want Him? Do you come to Him?
The Prayers
Open prayers to pray:
"God, when I feel overwhelmed, I need you to ..."
"God, when I think of You as Father, it makes me feel ..."
"God, when I think if You being in charge, it makes me feel ..."
Written prayers to pray:
Our Father in Heaven, Your name is above all. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done right here as it is in Heaven where You live. Provide for me all that I need, and help me love You more than things. Forgive me of my sins, and help me forgive anyone who has wronged me. Guide me away from tempting thoughts and situations so that I might not sin against You. You are my King. You are the Strongest One who has ever lived. You are Glorious. Amen.
The Challenge
Each day this week do one or more of the following:
Listen to the song (in solitude)
Read the scripture
Consider the questions
Pray the prayer(s)
Consider briefly posting or journaling about your experiences.