Prodigal Son - 2

For Tuesday, July 15, 2025:

Luke 15:13 NLT: “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.”

Today we’re continuing with Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, the one who demanded his share of the inheritance while dear old dad was still alive. Moving to the big city, he quickly squandered all his money on wine, women and song. And in a perfect Murphy’s Law scenario, when his money ran out, the region’s food also ran out. Our prodigal was forced to accept employment from a farmer who raised pigs! To Jewish people, pigs were unclean, non-kosher animals. And here he was tending to their needs like a slave. Pigs were fed pods after the desirable beans had been removed, and our prodigal was so hungry that he would sneak some for himself. Wow – taking a meal with pigs! He had hit his bottom.

The younger son thought about his situation and applied some logic. “Back home, even the hired hands have enough to eat, and here I am starving.” There was only one solution. “I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” And he did just that.

The surprise comes from the father, who was watching and waiting for the wayward son to return. The father ran out and met his son on the road. The kid confessed his inappropriate actions as he said he would, but the father’s response was quite unexpected. “Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” So the lost son was fully forgiven and restored, and the celebration began. The lost son could be any of us. His father is our Father in heaven!

In relating this story, Jesus taught the value of repent and return. When our lives get off track, repent and return is the only solution. He also let us know that our Father has a boatload of forgiveness, more than you might expect. God is good, even when we’re not!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Heaven Reservation!

For Wednesday, August 31, 2022:

​John 14:2 CEV: Jesus said to his disciples, “There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you.”

​I want us to understand that God is looking forward to each believer arriving in heaven. It will be an exciting time, not just for us, but for all of heaven. Jesus has your place already prepared in anticipation of your arrival! If you’re a believer, you already have a room in heaven with your name on the door!

​When the prodigal son returned home to repent and return, his Father met him out on the road. The only way this could have happened is if the Father was watching for him, expecting the son’s return, anticipating his arrival. The Father put a robe around the son, the family ring on his finger, and invited the whole neighborhood to celebrate the son’s return. The Father was glad to see him, just as the father will be glad to see each of us.

​Jesus said to his disciples, “Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Closer to God!

For Wednesday, July 14, 2021

2 Peter 1:2 TLB: “Do you want more and more of God’s kindness and peace? Then learn to know him better and better.”

Consider the prodigal son. When he strayed from the Father, his life became a mess; worse than you might expect, and deteriorating more quickly than you’d think. When he repented and returned, his life instantly became markedly improved. As you recall, the son went from feeding pigs to receiving the family crest at a banquet in his honor. What a contrast!

When the son returned to the Father, everything got way better. His life had been turned upside down, which now was actually to set the son right-side-up, putting his relationship with the Father back the way it was intended. And once again the son had hope!

The closer you are to God, the better life goes!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406