Day 3

Scripture to Read: Luke 15:17–19

The prodigal son had hit rock bottom and had gotten to the point of desperation. Jesus shares with us in Luke 15:17–19, “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.’” Note several things here about the younger son. First, he realizes how gracious his father is to all of his hired men. His father feeds them well and takes care of them. The younger son had lost sight of the graciousness of his father but then came to his senses when he no longer was a recipient of his father’s graciousness. The son also had come to the point of humbling himself, for he did not say, “I’ll go back to my father and tell him that I’m still his son and that he must take care of me.” Instead, the son was ready to confess his sin to his father, to seek his forgiveness, and to serve his father, not as a son, but as a hired hand. The son did not feel worthy to be called his father’s son, but he knew how loving his father was and that maybe he’d hire him as one of his hired men. We must come to God with all humility, willing to serve Him wholeheartedly!

Challenge & Application

How had the son’s attitude changed, and how does that reveal to us how we must approach our God and King? How has God revealed His graciousness to you, and how has that impacted the way you live for Him each day?

Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!

Devotionals from this week

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Day 1

Jesus loved using parables to teach biblical truth. This week, we examine Luke 15:11–32, the parable better known as “The Prodigal Son.” We read in Luke 15:11–12, “And He said, A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.” Jesu...

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Day 2

Jesus then tells us this in Luke 15:13–16, “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 So he went and ...

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Day 3

The prodigal son had hit rock bottom and had gotten to the point of desperation. Jesus shares with us in Luke 15:17–19, “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned aga...

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Day 4

After the son had come to his senses and remembered the graciousness of his father, Jesus tells us this in Luke 15:20–21, “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned again...

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Day 5

The son had returned home, he had confessed his sin to his father and told his father he was not even worthy of being called his son anymore. But then, Jesus reveals this to us in Luke 15:22–24, “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and br...

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Day 6

With all the good news of the younger son’s return, then Jesus reveals this in Luke 15:25–30, “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your...

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Day 7

The older son had shared his bitterness toward his younger brother with his father. The older son also scolded his father for his willingness to so quickly forgive his younger son and to throw a party for him. But Jesus then reveals this in Luke 15:31–32, “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ...

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