Over the next three days we will be reading successive passages from Luke 15 and 16 where Jesus shares a parable about God’s grace, illustrates God’s mercy, and challenges us to show mercy to others.
Day 26: Grace Restores
Read Luke 15:20-32.
The Prodigal Son claimed his inheritance, left his father, and squandered everything. His wealth, status, and pride— gone. Lost but not abandoned, the prodigal turned toward home.
. . .But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)
Catching sight of his son, the father drops everything and runs to him. What a picture! A picture of God, the Father, running toward us with the riches of His grace given to us through Jesus Christ, His Son. Ephesians 2:5 states it this way: “. . .even when we were dead in our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. . .” (clarification mine).
God’s grace saves AND restores. The robe, the feast, the relationship with the father— everything was restored, and the prodigal was made whole. Christ’s work on the cross makes us whole too:
. . .all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. (Colossians 1:20, MSG)
As you reflect on this passage today, thank God for His grace and restoration in your life.
Day 27: God is Merciful
Read Luke 16:1-13.
In today’s passage we find Jesus addressing His disciples with a parable. The “manager” in the parable represents the disciples and those of us who are disciples today. The “rich man,” the business owner in the story, is God. The manager was accused of bad stewardship of the business; his job is threatened. Under attack, he goes to work, trying to make the best out of a bad situation. Although his solution is problematic, it works to the benefit of the owner, and instead of disdain and disapproval, the owner bestows a commendation— mercy instead of consequence.
As we pursue God’s will, serve Him, and others; we’re going to mess up or be misunderstood. We can’t escape imperfections and failures, but we can trust God because He knows our hearts and motives.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways. (Psalm 139:3)
God supports and defends those who put their trust in Him. It is His nature to extend mercy to those who love Him and do His will.
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15)
In response to God’s mercy, let’s approach Him with reverence and humility, and give Him our repentance, gratitude and faithfulness.
Day 28: Be Merciful
Read Luke 16:19-31.
Today, in an illustration about a rich man who neglects the needs of a poor man, Lazarus (meaning whom God helps); we are challenged to consider whether our values match God’s values. Following yesterday’s parable about God’s mercy, I believe this passage calls us to be merciful.
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36)
The rich man faces torment in Hades as a result of his merciless treatment of Lazarus. The rich man is without excuse because the Law and Prophets make explicit God’s desires (Luke 16:29). In the case of mercy, God’s expectation is clear:
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8, NIV)
Today’s passage challenges me to show mercy, so that others may be blessed and experience this attribute of God. With mercy I choose to respond to rather than react when something doesn’t go my way. Mercy gives up the spotlight, so someone else can shine. Because of mercy I serve rather than seek to be served.
. . . In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
How can you show mercy to your family, co-workers, friends, and neighbors?
Lenten Reflection
May God bless you and keep you through His Word and His Spirit during these 40 Days with the Storyteller. How have you experienced grace and mercy during this Lenten season? Please share in the comments.
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