When I talk with some people, I have to wonder: When did the Good News of Jesus Christ stop being the beyond-anything-we-could-ask-or-think Good News? When did it stop being the jump-in-the-air-and-rejoice Good News? Has it ever been this for you?

Let me be direct: Do you yourself know, in your heart of hearts, that our Father’s love for you never changes? Not with one good deed or a dozen. Not with one sin or a hundred.

After the prodigal son in Luke 15 committed every sin in the book, the good father wouldn’t even hear his “I’m sorry.” He embraced his wayward son, wept for joy because of him, welcomed him, kissed him, brought gifts for him, celebrated him, forgave him, set a place of honor for him, and called all his friends to share the good news of his son’s homecoming.

This is a picture of our heavenly Father, who never stops loving us and never stops wanting to heal, restore, and set us free. Today, the story of the prodigal son confronts us with God’s incredible kindness that leads us to repentance [Romans 2:4]. If you’ve never said “I’m sorry; please have mercy; forgive me” to your heavenly Father, do so now without delay.

This is Luis Palau.