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

12 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 12 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

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Openness of Gentiles to Listen'
"As Paul was about to be taken inside, he said to the commander, "May I have a word with you?" "Do you know Greek?" the commander asked,..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Be Thankful, Prayerful, Vocal, and Glad in Him'
"Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him. Tell the nations what he has done. Sing to him; sing praises to him. Tell about all his miracles. Be glad..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Essential Unity'
"Dear Member of My Body, Paul emphasized in several of his letters to churches that My church is My bodily presence in the world (Romans 12:3-8; 1..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Song of Songs 8:6
"Whose love can this be which is as mighty as the conqueror of monarchs, the destroyer of the human race? Would it not sound like satire if it were..."

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!