March 30, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 41:28-57; Mark 11:20-33

“It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” (Luke 15:32)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

This parable is often called the “parable of the prodigal (or lost) son.” But the younger son isn’t really the main character in the parable, and neither is his older brother. The main focus is the father. He was shamed by his younger son, who wanted his share of the inheritance early, and he was shamed by his older son, who threw a temper tantrum outside his father’s celebration party. Both sons behaved badly. But the father didn’t treat either of them like they deserved. Even after giving the younger son his share of the estate, he watched for his return and celebrated his homecoming. He invited and pleaded for the older son to come into the party because everything that belonged to the father also belonged to him.

According to common sense, that’s not how things work. When a relationship is damaged by hurtful, sinful action, it is rare that everything is immediately forgiven and set right. When you hurt someone else, maybe it took time to earn their trust back. Maybe the relationship was so damaged that it can’t be repaired. But that’s not how this father deals with his sons. Instead, he forgives them both and has an important place for both of them at his celebration feast. This parable is really “the parable of the forgiving father.”

According to our common sense, this surprising forgiveness is backward. That’s the very essence of God’s Gospel. God the Father is fully aware of your sin. He doesn’t excuse it or say that it’s okay. He sends His one and only Son into the flesh so that all who believe in Him have eternal life. (John 3:16) He doesn’t hold a grudge, ignore you, or wait for you to re-earn His trust. He takes the burden onto Himself to forgive you and to restore His relationship with you.

When your Father forgives you, He throws a celebratory feast! That feast is the Body and Blood of His Son for you to eat and drink for the forgiveness of sins. That Communion feast prepares you for the supper of the Lamb on the Last Day when you eat and drink with Him in Paradise. Your forgiving Father restores you when He forgives all your sins.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

-Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

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