Good morning, and a most blessed Thursday to you.

Over the next couple of weeks in our time of devotion together, we will be examining one of Christ’s most well-known parables—the parable of the Prodigal Son. Many of us are already familiar with it, but together we’ll look at it this week and next from two different perspectives.

Let’s open our Bibles to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, beginning at verse 11:

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.”

This parable begins with the younger son demanding his inheritance long before his father’s death. In arrogance, he essentially declares, “I wish you were dead. Give me what belongs to me now.” He then leaves his home, his family, and his father’s care—only to squander everything.

You and I can relate to this young son, can’t we? In our pride we sometimes insist on our own way, demanding what we think we deserve. And yet, like the prodigal, we squander the blessings God has entrusted to us—our forgiveness, our family, our resources, our opportunities. We live as though we belong to ourselves rather than to Him.

But then comes the turning point: “He came to himself.” He realized the emptiness of his choices, the depth of his sin, and his unworthiness. In desperation, he planned to return—not as a son, but as a servant. Yet when the father saw him from a distance, he ran to him, embraced him, and restored him fully. The son didn’t even finish his confession before grace overwhelmed him.

This is the heart of the gospel. When we come to our senses by the Spirit’s prompting and turn back to God, we find not rejection, but mercy. As Paul reminds us in Romans, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Our Father runs to meet us, clothing us in the robe of righteousness, placing the ring of sonship on our hand, and celebrating our return.

Each of us knows what it means to be prodigal. We wander, we squander, we rebel. Yet by God’s grace, we are not treated as outcasts or mere servants. We are welcomed home as beloved sons and daughters of the King—heirs of His mercy, His grace, and His love.

So this week, remember your inheritance in Christ. Remember the robe of righteousness and the ring of love your Father has placed upon you. He sees you, He runs to you, He embraces you, and He calls you His own.

Let us pray:
Heavenly Lord, we thank You for the gift of righteousness—not because we are worthy, but because Christ died for us while we were still in our sin. When we wander, call us back. Remind us where our true home is and to whom we belong. Thank You for clothing us in Your righteousness and calling us Your children. Guide us today and always in Your mercy, grace, and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Until we meet again—hopefully this Sunday in worship—I look forward to continuing our journey through this parable together. Until then, may God bless and keep you.

Pastor Malinak