Divine Dining April 11, 2026 Devotional

LUKE 15:18-24 | ¹⁸ I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ ²⁰ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹ Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, ²⁴ for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

The other necessity at work in Jesus’ suffering and Resurrection is connected to the heart and character of God. How can God’s goodness and righteousness, His opposition to rebellion,                   selfishness, and sin, be reconciled to His love and mercy? Ignoring sin in the name of love affronts and undermines justice. Insisting on absolute justice for our waywardness negates God’s love for His broken children.

The Father in Jesus’ story of the two sons does a risky act of sacrificial love. The younger son’s humiliation and dishonoring is a death offense. So, the father risks his own life to protect the returning son, running to him, giving him the robe of his protection and ring of his authority and holding a meal so the villagers will also accept rather than punish him. The father forgoes his right of punishment and suffers humiliation to receive his wayward son back into the family. He is humiliated by the angry, older son too, via His public refusal to join the celebration, yet he invites him in as well.

Jesus’ risky act of love was to show and share the Father’s love and mercy and then to carry the cost of our waywardness and rejection. The Father decided not to set aside His righteousness but to make it visible by graciously suffering the burden of our violation of it. The judge was judged in our place.

Can you see how the cross brings God’s just judgement and loving mercy together?

Gracious God,

You are just and holy. You are merciful and loving. Through Your sacrifice the truth of our need and the grace of Your response became real and powerful. May I live in wonder and dependence on You alone.

Amen.