“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
Another story Jesus told his followers chronicled a foolish son demanding his inheritance long before the death of his father. The boy squandered all his father provided until he was left with nothing but the consequences of his actions. Alone in a foreign land, the son realizes his foolishness and heads home with his head hung low. From a long way off, the father, perhaps always searching the horizon for his wayward son, catches a glimpse of him in the distance. The father takes off running and scoops his son up in an embrace. Ashamed and repentant, the son asks for his Father’s mercy. But the Father offers so much more! Forgiveness, restoration and a party soon ensue as the Father rejoices over the son who has returned.
What a beautiful example of the Kingdom of God and His love and forgiveness for his children. Jesus taught a love that was unconditional coupled with unwarranted forgiveness. His way of thinking and living was revolutionary and having experienced it for themselves, His disciples would never be the same. Those same disciples would share the good news of Jesus’ love and forgiveness with all who would listen until their very last breaths. It was a game changer.
Forgiveness and restoration was at the very core of the disciples’ own Grow to Go stories. How has it shaped your Grow to Go story?
