Homecoming

“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” - Luke 15:20-24

We have all been prodigals. We’ve run from the Lord and searched for meaning and purpose in the things of the world. We were once enemies of God (Romans 5), dead in our sin, and utterly hopeless. After crawling back from the pigsties of sin in my own life, I’ve made similar appeals to those the prodigal son was rehearsing: “I’ll never do it again,” or “This is the last time, now I’ll live for You.” Vows of obedience inhabited my prayers. It’s almost as if the worse a sin seemed, the more “effort” I tried to promise. Christ’s sacrifice was enough to pay for my sin in full; it needs no additions. That kind of love, grace, and forgiveness will always be hard to understand, especially for the returning prodigal.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” - Ephesians 2:4-5

Before he could finish, the father interrupted the prodigal son’s apology. Instantaneously he brought out the best clothes, jewelry, and food he had, and they celebrated!

It’s amazing that we have a God who “interrupts” us. While we were lost and dead in our sin, His mercy interrupted, and made us alive with Christ. He didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up, or prove our use to Him. His love initiates, and by His grace we’ve been saved. 

We’re now made alive, new in Christ, but we’re not perfect. We live in a broken world with broken bodies still bent towards sin. By the power of the Spirit we do have hope, though we long for our heavenly home. 

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” - Galatians 5:16

As we walk by the Spirit, we are sanctified, becoming more and more like Jesus. As we abide in the true vine, he shapes us to be more like Him. Indwelled with the Spirit, but tethered to the world by our flesh, we still stumble forward.

Our homecoming is somewhat “already, but not yet.” Our prodigal souls have already been welcomed home into the family of God by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But one day the new heavens and the new earth will be our home, and Jesus will personally wipe away every tear. That will be our ultimate homecoming. 

Heaven joins in with a glorious sound
And the great cloud of witnesses all gather 'round
'Cause the ones that were lost are finally found
The Father is welcoming

This is our homecoming

One day, all will be made right. Peace will be on earth, and all creation will join in to worship the Lord God almighty. This is our homecoming.