AHA: The God Moment That Changes Everything

But after the younger son’s insulting choices and reckless living, the father embraced him with kisses and hugs. And after the older brother’s harsh words and disrespect, the father lovingly explained himself. The patriarch would never have had to explain himself in ancient times. Households were not democracies; they were dictatorships. Yet the fa

Look again at how the father responded when he got to his son. Jesus said that the father “threw his arms around him and kissed him.” It’s not too late because the Father wants you just the way you are. We think, It’s too late now. I don’t have time to get cleaned up. I don’t have time to get my life together. But the father loved the son as he was

While the older brother claims, “I’ve never disobeyed,” the younger brother says, “I am not worthy.” One brother appeals to his own merit. The other comes asking for mercy. One brother sulks in frustration; the other celebrates in joy.

This kind of claim made no mention of the father’s provision in his life. Like the Prodigal, the older brother had lived a life fully dependent on his father. But by saying this, he was unwilling even to acknowledge his father’s generosity.

When we are honest with God about our sins, He forgives us, but when we are honest with others, we find healing.

We expect God to be an angry father who demands justice, but through Jesus, He gives us love and grace when we don’t deserve it. Ultimately, the story in Luke 15 isn’t about two sons who disobey. It is about a Father who loves His children unconditionally.

If it were pain-free, we would act. Most of us don’t want to act, because we don’t want the pain.

I could feel tears rolling down my own face as I told her, “Oh no, no, no. It is just the right time. It is never too late with Jesus.”

So until you go from “I’ve never disobeyed” to “I am not worthy,” you will not have AHA.