Thor Carden

11 hrs

The Prodigal Son is Welcomed Home

Luke 15:21-24 "The son declared, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!' So they began to celebrate."

This is not the only time in the Bible someone gets new clothing.

1. In Genesis 3:21, God gives Adam and Eve garments of animal skin symbolizing covering, mercy, and provision after sin.

2. In Genesis 27:15, Rebekah puts Esau’s best garments on Jacob symbolizing identity transfer, blessing, and inheritance.

3. In Genesis 41:42, Pharaoh places a fine linen robe on Joseph symbolizing authority, exaltation, and royal appointment.

4. In 1 Samuel 18:4, Jonathan gives David his royal robe symbolizing covenant loyalty, heir‑status, and devoted friendship.

5. In Esther 6:8–11, King Ahasuerus has Mordecai clothed in the king’s own robe symbolizing honor, vindication, and public exaltation.

6. In Daniel 5:29, Belshazzar clothes Daniel in a purple robe symbolizing promotion, recognition, and royal authority.

7. In Zechariah 3:4–5, the LORD gives Joshua the high priest clean garments and a clean turban symbolizing cleansing, forgiveness, and restored priesthood.

8. In Luke 15:22, the father gives the prodigal son the best robe symbolizing restoration, sonship, and full acceptance.

9. In Revelation 3:5, Jesus promises that the overcomer will be clothed in white garments symbolizing purity, victory, and eternal acceptance.

10. In Revelation 3:5, Jesus promises that the overcomer will be clothed in white garments symbolizing purity, victory, and eternal acceptance.

11. In Revelation 3:18, Jesus counsels Laodicea to receive white garments from Him symbolizing righteousness, restoration, and spiritual healing.

12. In Revelation 7:9, 13–14, the redeemed are given white robes symbolizing salvation, cleansing, and triumph through the Lamb.

13. In Revelation 19:7–8, the Bride of Christ is granted fine linen, bright and clean, symbolizing the righteous acts of the saints.

14. In Isaiah 61:10, God clothes His people with garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness symbolizing joy, deliverance, and covenant favor.

15. In Isaiah 52:1, Jerusalem is commanded to put on beautiful garments symbolizing restoration, holiness, and renewed dignity.

16. In Isaiah 61:3, God gives the mourners in Zion a garment of praise symbolizing transformation, comfort, and the lifting of despair.

17. In Psalm 132:16, God promises to clothe His priests with salvation symbolizing divine favor, protection, and priestly honor.

18. In 2 Corinthians 5:2–4, believers long to be clothed with their heavenly dwelling symbolizing resurrection life and immortality.

19. In Galatians 3:27, all who are baptized into Christ have put on Christ symbolizing a new identity, righteousness, and union with Him.

Father, please give me a whole new wardrobe of holiness. Amen.

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In the Parable of the Prodigal Son what does the phrase "came to his senses" mean?

Luke 15:17 "Finally he came to his senses and said, 'How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death!' " (BS

The Prodigal son realized he had been unwise and silly.

What did God do to get me to come to my senses?

For me, it has been more than once.

The first time, I was on the verge of suicide because all my efforts to make myself happy failed. The Holy Spirit showed up, and Jesus saved my life.

The most recent time I was in the ICU for two weeks after almost dying. I realized being unwise about taking care of my health was actually worse than unwise – it is sinful.

In between were many times when God used various means, usually unpleasant, to discipline me into enough introspection to realize I was on the wrong path.

Lord, thank You for not giving up on me. I know I have a lot left to learn. I know I can count on You to patiently teach me what I need to know most. Amen.

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Luke 15:11-13 Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger son said to him, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living."

Most of us, at least those of us who came to Christ as adults, have done this. Consider 1 Peter 4:3 "For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry."

Or perhaps we are still doing it. If so, consider Romans 13:12 "The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh."

(Consider also Colossians 3:7-8.)

When are we going to stop living a divided life? When is it enough?

3 d

May 7, 2026 - This morning, I will be doing a reading out of the book Forget-Me-Nots (paraphrases of ancient fables) to about 70 children. Please pray that it blesses them.

3 d

Who is who in the parable of the Prodigal Son? The father is usually characterized as the Lord, but Jesus is not explicit. The younger son is a lost sinner. The older son, the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes from Luke 15:2. That is all very well, but I prefer a different characterization. I see the father as those Christians who are seeking the lost, investing in them, and welcoming them into the church. I see the younger son as the lost. I see the older son as the church members who think the church is the building and act like members of an exclusive social club who do not want to sacrifice any of their comfort or suffer any inconvenience for the sake of rescuing the lost. At one time or another, I have played all three parts in this story. How about you?

Father, You are forgiving and merciful. Help me remember how much I have been forgiven and show mercy and grace who those who are struggling. Amen.