When a wayward child wanders far from home, how does a loving parent continue to pursue them without driving them farther away? When we wander from God, he always keeps his door open for us. Not only that, he lovingly pursues sinners in ways that make them long for home. Today we see how assigns – and accepts – the work of one on behalf of all. Normally in a family everyone must “do their part.” In God’s family, however, God’s Son – our brother – stands alone on the field of battle against our enemies in our place. He fights vicariously. He fights victoriously.