In our Father’s Day sermon, we looked at how Jesus taught about the Father's love for us through a parable in Luke 15:11-24. In this parable, Jesus introduces us to a kind father who provided well for his family and was generous with his children. One of his sons asks for, and receives, his inheritance early then leaves his father's home. After living recklessly and losing everything the father had given him, the son comes to the end of himself, which is where he actually finds himself. Luke 15:17 says that the son “came to himself.” In this moment, the story turns and the son decides to go home empty handed and ask for his father's forgiveness, hoping the father will let him back into his home as a servant. Instead of hesitantly receiving the son as a servant, the father celebrates his son's return and immediately restores him to full sonship. This parable shows us a beautiful picture of what a loving father looks like and illustrates what every earthly father needs more than anything: an invitation from God, the perfect Father, to be accepted as His son. It's through experiencing our own sonship to God that we have something to give away to our children.
