Embracing Grace: The Father's Love for All

Devotional

Day 1: The Father's Unconditional Love for the Lost

The story of the prodigal son reveals a father whose love is not dependent on the worthiness or performance of his children. Even after the younger son has squandered his inheritance and brought shame upon the family, the father watches and waits for his return. When he sees his son from a distance, he is filled with compassion, runs to him, embraces him, and welcomes him home before a word of apology is spoken. This radical, unexpected love is not based on what the son has done, but on who he is—a beloved child. The father’s actions show us the heart of God, who seeks out the lost and celebrates their return, no matter how far they have wandered. [12:52]

Luke 15:20-24 (CSB)
"So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate."

Reflection: Is there a part of your life where you feel too far gone for God’s love? What would it look like to let the Father run to you and embrace you today, just as you are?

Day 2: True Repentance—No Excuses, Only Honesty

When the prodigal son returns, he confesses his sin without excuses or attempts to justify himself. He simply admits, “I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” This honest confession, without explanations or bargaining, is the kind of repentance that God desires. It is not about making restitution or proving our worth, but about acknowledging our brokenness and need for mercy. True repentance is letting go of our pride and excuses, and coming before God with empty hands, trusting in His grace alone. [15:33]

Luke 15:21 (CSB)
"The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’"

Reflection: When you confess your sins, do you find yourself making excuses or justifying your actions? What would it mean for you to confess honestly and simply before God today?

Day 3: The Danger of Self-Righteousness

The older brother in the parable represents those who believe their place in the family is earned by their good behavior and faithfulness. He is angry at the celebration for his wayward brother and feels entitled to the father’s favor because of his years of service. Yet, the father reminds him that his place in the family is not about performance, but about relationship. Self-righteousness blinds us to our own need for grace and can keep us from joining in the joy of God’s forgiveness for others and ourselves. [21:37]

Luke 15:28-31 (CSB)
"Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ ‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.'"

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself comparing your faithfulness to others or feeling entitled to God’s blessings? How might you let go of self-righteousness and rejoice in God’s grace for all?

Day 4: Our Identity as God’s Children

The parable and the words of 1 John 3:1 remind us that our identity as God’s children is a gift of His love, not something we earn. Whether we have wandered far or tried to prove ourselves through good works, God calls us His beloved sons and daughters. He welcomes us into His family, not because of what we have done, but because of who He is—a gracious and loving Father. This identity is secure, and nothing can separate us from His love. [24:59]

1 John 3:1 (CSB)
"See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him."

Reflection: How does knowing you are God’s beloved child—apart from your performance—change the way you see yourself and others today?

Day 5: Grace for the Unworthy—Jesus Welcomes All

The good news of the gospel is that Jesus welcomes unworthy people—those who know their need and those who don’t. The Father’s grace is abundant and freely given, not because we have anything to offer, but because of Jesus, who gave up everything for us. In Christ, there is forgiveness, restoration, and a place at the table for all who come. No matter your past or your struggles, the invitation is to come home, to receive grace, and to celebrate the love of the Father who runs to you. [28:41]

Romans 5:8 (CSB)
"But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel unworthy of God’s grace? How can you accept and celebrate the gift of Jesus’ forgiveness for you today?

Sermon Summary

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories about things that are lost and then found: a sheep, a coin, and finally, two sons. Each story is about more than just the lost item; it’s about the heart of God for those who are far from Him, and the joy that erupts when the lost are restored. The parable of the prodigal son is perhaps the most well-known, but it’s easy to miss its depth if we rush past it. In this story, a younger son demands his inheritance early—a shocking insult in that culture—and then squanders it in reckless living. When he hits rock bottom, feeding pigs and starving, he finally comes to his senses. He plans to return home, not as a son, but as a hired servant, hoping to pay back what he’s lost.

But the father’s response is radical. He doesn’t wait for the son to grovel or prove himself. Instead, he runs to meet him, embraces him, and restores him fully as a son, not because of anything the son has done, but because of the father’s love. The son’s confession changes in the father’s arms—from a plan to earn his way back, to a simple admission of unworthiness. The father covers his shame, throws a feast, and celebrates his return.

Yet the story doesn’t end there. The older brother, who never left, is angry at the father’s grace. He believes his faithfulness should earn him more, and resents the celebration for his wayward sibling. The father goes out to him as well, inviting him to join the feast, reminding him that his place in the family is not about performance, but about relationship. The parable ends with the question unresolved: will the older brother accept the father’s grace, or remain outside, clinging to his own righteousness?

This story is not just about prodigals or Pharisees, but about the extravagant, undeserved love of the Father for all His children. Whether we are rebellious or self-righteous, the invitation is the same: to come home, to drop our excuses and performances, and to receive the embrace of a Father who runs to us, covers our shame, and welcomes us into His family—not because we are worthy, but because He is gracious.

Key Takeaways

1. True repentance is not bargaining with God or promising to make things right, but simply confessing our unworthiness and need. The prodigal son’s journey shows that real confession is not about offering solutions or excuses, but about admitting our brokenness and inability to fix the relationship ourselves. Only when we stop trying to justify ourselves can we truly receive the Father’s mercy. [15:33]
2. The Father’s love is proactive, not reactive. He doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up or prove our sincerity before embracing us. The Father runs to meet us in our filth and shame, covering us with His love before we can even finish our confession. His grace precedes our repentance and transforms it. [12:52]
3. Self-righteousness is just as alienating as rebellion. The older brother’s anger and refusal to join the celebration reveal that relying on our own goodness can keep us just as far from the Father’s heart as open sin. Both sons are lost in different ways, and both need the Father’s invitation to come home—not on the basis of merit, but of relationship. [21:37]
4. Restoration is not just personal, but communal. The Father’s celebration is not only about welcoming the son back into his arms, but also about restoring him to the family and the community. Grace is never a private affair; it always draws us back into fellowship with others, inviting us to rejoice together in what God has done. [18:55]
5. The cross is the foundation of the Father’s welcome. The reason the Father can embrace the unworthy is because Jesus, the true Son, was cast out and bore our shame. Our place at the table is secured not by our efforts, but by Christ’s sacrifice. Every time we come to God’s table, we come empty-handed, yet receive everything by grace. [26:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Recap: Lost Sheep and Lost Coin
[03:50] - The Younger Son’s Shocking Request
[07:18] - Hitting Rock Bottom: Feeding the Pigs
[09:27] - The Prodigal’s Plan for Repentance
[10:52] - The Pharisaic Expectation of Repayment
[12:52] - The Father Runs to the Son
[14:43] - The Changed Confession
[15:33] - True Repentance: “I Am Unworthy”
[17:39] - The Father’s Radical Restoration
[18:55] - Restoration to Family and Community
[21:37] - The Older Brother’s Resentment
[22:49] - The Father’s Invitation to the Elder Son
[24:09] - The Unresolved Ending: Our Response
[26:55] - The Cross and the Father’s Welcome
[28:41] - The Invitation: Nothing to Offer, Everything to Gain
[29:53] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 15:11-32 (CSB) — [Read aloud as a group, or assign sections to different readers.]

Observation Questions

What was shocking about the younger son’s request for his inheritance, and how did the father respond?
When the younger son “came to his senses,” what was his plan for returning home, and what did he hope to say to his father?
How did the father react when he saw his son returning, and what actions did he take before the son finished his speech?
What was the older brother’s reaction to the celebration for his younger brother, and how did the father address him?

Interpretation Questions

Why is the younger son’s confession in the father’s arms different from his original plan? What does this reveal about true repentance?
The father runs to meet his son “while he was still a long way off.” What does this say about the nature of the father’s love?
In what ways is the older brother “lost” even though he never left home? How does self-righteousness distance someone from the father’s heart?
Why does Jesus leave the story unresolved regarding the older brother’s response? What might this invite the listeners to consider?

Application Questions

The younger son tried to bargain his way back into the family by offering to work as a servant. Have you ever tried to “earn” God’s forgiveness or love by making promises or trying to fix things yourself? What would it look like to simply confess your need instead?
The father didn’t wait for the son to clean himself up or prove his sincerity—he ran to him and embraced him as he was. Is there an area of your life where you feel you need to “get it together” before coming to God? How might you bring that to Him honestly this week?
The older brother resented the celebration for his sibling and felt his faithfulness should earn him more. Have you ever struggled with comparing your faithfulness or “goodness” to others? How does this affect your relationship with God and others?
The father’s restoration of the younger son was not just personal, but also communal—he threw a feast and invited everyone to celebrate. How can you participate in welcoming and restoring others in your church or community, especially those who feel unworthy or outcast?
The sermon said, “The cross is the foundation of the Father’s welcome.” How does remembering Jesus’ sacrifice change the way you approach God, especially when you feel unworthy?
The story ends with an open invitation: will you come into the feast, or stay outside? Is there any area of your life where you are “standing outside,” holding onto excuses, pride, or self-righteousness? What would it look like to accept the Father’s invitation today?
Grace is never a private affair; it always draws us back into fellowship. Is there someone you need to forgive, welcome, or celebrate this week as a reflection of the Father’s heart? What step can you take?

Sermon Clips

He comes to his senses here in the lowest of the lows and he recognizes, yes, I basically told my father off in the worst way possible. I wish you were dead. I wish you were gone. I wish I wasn't a part of this family. I have rejected my sonship in this family in order to go do what I have done and I recognize my sin and I'm confessing that sin and that brokenness. I've done it. I am a poor, miserable sinner. [00:09:39] (26 seconds) #ConfessionAndBrokenness

But the second thing that he does, it shows that his kind of idea of repentance here in this moment is still a little bit off because look what he tries to do as he prepares his speech. He says, I'm not worthy to be called your son, but then he says this, make me like one of your hired workers. I don't deserve a place in your family. But I do deserve a job because then I can pay back what I squandered in the inheritance you've given me. [00:10:05] (28 seconds) #RepentanceWithConditions

But while the son was still a long way off, the father saw him and was filled with compassion. And he ran and threw his arms around his neck and he kissed him. Now this is where the shock of the story starts showing up. I mean, the way that the father does things in this story is incredible. That he gives the son what he wants to begin with. But now that his dirty pig-smelling, pig-looking son comes home, he welcomes him home. [00:12:56] (29 seconds) #CompassionateEmbrace

It's hard to confess our sins by simply saying I am unworthy period. I have sinned period. I am a poor miserable sinner period. You heard that in our confession this morning if you were paying attention as we confessed our sins together we we said to one another and to God himself we said there is no healthus, period. Your Son comes to judge all people, period. Have mercy, O Lord. Have mercy. That's our plea. [00:17:12] (40 seconds) #MercyBeyondWords

No explanation can justify our sin. No reasoning can make us right with God, only an acknowledgment of who we really are. We are unworthy. We are sinners, and we plead forgiveness. And the Father responds to this Son, to His plea of unworthiness with an action of mercy and grace and forgiveness. [00:17:52] (31 seconds) #RestorationAndCelebration

Son, your performance does not dictate your place in this family. You are in this family because I am your father and you are my son. That's the relationship. You're not in this family because you've been working hard for me and you've been faithful in doing that work. That has nothing to do with your place in the family. You're in it because of who I am. [00:23:12] (25 seconds) #SpiritLedResponse

And as Jesus tells this story to the original audience, and as we hear it again for the first time or the hundredth time, the question is left for us, how will we, by the power of the Spirit, respond to the grace of the Father? [00:24:41] (19 seconds) #UnconditionalFatherlyLove

You didn't do the things you should have done, and you did things you shouldn't have done. And you came to his altar today, and what you were saying is, I am unworthy. I am unworthy. And Jesus said to you and to me, take, eat. This is my body. This is my blood, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. For unworthy people, period. There is no unworthy. No, not one, period. But to all the unworthy people, Jesus has grace in abundance for you and for me. [00:26:57] (46 seconds) #SacrificialTrueSon

The Father can welcome home his lost children home because another son, Jesus, was cast out, stripped, and hung on the cross for us. He is the true son who deserves everything but gave it up so that prodigals and Pharisees alike could be welcomed home. [00:27:44] (15 seconds) #EmbracedWithoutPerformance

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