What Jesus Did! 'Better in My Father's House' — Luke 15:17-19

Thursday, September 14, 2023

[Continuing the tale of the two sons, Jesus said,] "When [the younger son who had wasted all his money] finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."'"

Note: This passage continues the third story (Luke 15:11-32) that Jesus told about the joy of recovering something or someone that is lost. The other two stories are Luke 15:3-7 and Luke 15:8-10.
— Luke 15:17-19 NLT

Key Thought

So often we forget some of the many ways we are blessed in the family of God. The rebellious young son was reminded of his former blessings the hard way; he lost everything he previously had at home. He had wasted his inheritance on top of everything else. However, as much as he had lost, he came to a life-changing realization: A slave in his father's house had it better than he did with his freedom but away from his father. Oh, that we would learn this lesson and put it into practice.

Today's Prayer

Father, without your presence and your power, no matter where I am or what I'm doing, it is not enough to replace being in your family. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

14 Related Resources by Heartlight

What It Takes to Bring Them Home
Article by Patrick D. Odum
How far would you go to bring home a stinker? A skunk caught far from home is ushered home by a couple of volunteers and this reminds Patrick of how much God did to bring us home when we were far away and stunk spiritually.
Spurgeon PM Devo for Feb. 18th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"It is quite certain that those whom Christ has washed in his precious blood need not make a confession of sin, as culprits or criminals, before God..."
It all begins with this realization!
Illustration of Luke 15:17
Inspirational illustration of Luke 15:17 -- When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say
Good News for Christmas
Article by Rick Brown
In the dark night of the soul or caught in the foggy haze of confusion, is there good news for me? Rick Brown writes a beautiful story on the background of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and a reminder that Jesus came for all of us misfits so we could know we fit in.
See All 14 Related Resources about Luke 15:17-19

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 15:17-19 NLT — "When [the younger son who had wasted all his money] finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, September 14, 2023

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Look Closely at the Evidence!'
"Dear Seeker, My words have always provoked strong reactions! I do not leave people any middle ground for their decision about Me. There is no "safe"...."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Tom Marshall:
"Without the work of the cross we would be quite helpless. The cross enables us to come out free from under the heaviest and most powerful mental bondage. Not..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'A New Spirit' (Ek. 11:19-20)
"[God, speaking about the Israelite exiles in Babylon:] "And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony,..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Acts 14:22
"God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when he chose his people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!