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Nov 08, 2023 18:30pm

Oh, the Father’s Love for Us

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Are you slopping with the hogs?

I watched a show years ago with Mike Rowe where he sought out the dirtiest jobs. This one in particular featured a pig farmer. One of the worst parts was to see the slop they created for the pigs to eat. It was a mixture of this and that and a little dash of yuck, mixed together with some nasty.

I’m not squeamish, but that got me a little bit.

Now a pig might think that slop is appetizing, but I cannot imagine EVER being hungry or desperate enough where I would want to eat that.

But some are.

This morning, we’re going to read an account out of Luke and I want you to picture yourself as this young son.

Luke 15:11-16

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”

A couple of things to remember here:

1. A son was due an inheritance after his father passed away. But in this account, the youngest son asks for his share now. He wanted his father to “liquidate” his assets to give him his share. The father is the head of the family, the ultimate authority, yet the son disregarded him.

2. Pigs were unlcean animals to a Jew. So to go and work with them meant this young man had come to the lowest point in his life. And on top of that, he was willing to eat the pig slop because he was so hungry. That’s lower than low.

Maybe this isn’t the first time you’re reading or hearing this story. But as you read, could you see yourself in his position? Taking what you felt was owed to you, what you deserved, to live the life you wanted, free from authority and rules. Out in the world, experiencing everything it has to offer to try to fill your desires and lusts.

And then you find yourself in a place that is far from what you had imagined. You look around and realize the “far country” you’re in. It sure doesn’t look like you thought. It’s not as grand or glamorous as you had imagined, and you find yourself empty, starving for help.

Have you been there? Are you there now? Are you slopping with the hogs? Feasting on the world’s trash.

Or do you even realize it yet?

Maybe it hasn’t sunk in just how far you’ve gone. Take a look around. Is this really where you saw yourself? Is it all you dreamed it would be? In all honesty, can you tell me you are fulfilled and happy?

Or does the emptiness eat away at you, leaving you searching for anything to try to fill yourself?

My friend, I have been there. And just like this young man, I finally came to a place where I knew there was something better.

I remembered my Father.

Luke 15:17-19

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”

Unworthy.

Broken.

Desperate.

Humbled.

We come to the feet of the Father, begging for His mercy. God has every right as our Father and authority to punish us. He could speak and we’d fall over dead. He could breathe out and our last breath be taken. So what does our God do? How does this Father react when we come to Him with a humbled heart?

Luke 15:20-24

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”

Mercy.

Grace.

Forgiveness.

Restoration.

Redemption.

Love.

Like you’ve never known before. In one instant, you’re enveloped in arms of security and peace. The old is gone and the new is here. You are not the same.

And He celebrates. Over you! Can you even imagine? After all you’ve done and said and been a part of, He could want you? He could rejoice when you come to Him?

YES! A million times, YES!

Oh, the Father’s love for us!

God invites you to dine at His table. He has a feast prepared for you, a robe of righteousness to place on you, shoes of peace that will allow you to go and share your story of His goodness.

Leave the slop behind.

Come to the Father.