Christ for Mercy...Day 18

"It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive, he was lost, and is found." Luke 15:11-32
by Ms. Lauren Jensen, Sheldon, IA

Wouldn't it be nice if our lives were like that of Curious George? In my kid's books, that curious little monkey can cause all sorts of trouble, but things always have a way of working themselves out.

Not so for us. God knows the trouble we sinners make courtesy of the famous Adam and Eve. Jesus mentions a type of Curious George in Luke. The prodigal son. He was a sinner no doubt and he made a big mess. A perfect subject f or Christ's listeners, and us.

Like us, the prodigal son didn't have to prove any worth to his father, which was good because he seemed to be about as reckless as they come. Like us, he squandered everything. If anyone deserved rejection it was him.

It is the father that proves his worth. While any father would be justified in sending the boy back to the filth, this father acknowledges his son's depravity, "For this my son was dead" (Luke 15:24a) and rejoices in His restoration, "and is alive again" (24b) is unbridled jubliance clues us in as to just how far gone his son really was.

We were dead in our trespasses. Our sinful hearts were beyond repair. We were so far gone, and nothing would just work itself out. Yet in His mercy, God gave us life. Our straying was no match for Christ's sacrifice, and our rebellion was no match for His restoration. We can always confess our unworthiness to God, trusting in His unconditional mercy.