“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
Luke 15:20
Through tears, a prisoner mentee asked, “How can Jesus love me when I keep letting Him down and keep committing the same sins again and again?”
There are many comforting words for my friend and for so many of us who ask the same question. “Your sins evoke his deepest heart for you, his compassion and pity. He is on your side. He sides with you against your sin. He hates your sin, but he loves you” (Dane Ortlund, 2020).
Jesus is the good shepherd who goes after the one lost sheep until he finds it (see Luke 15:3-4). He is the woman who seeks diligently until she finds her lost coin (v. 8). And He is the welcoming, forgiving father who runs to, embraces, and kisses his wayward son (v. 20).
When we struggle, we can turn to Jesus for help. When our faith is wobbly, when doubts fill our hearts, when we stumble again into the same sins, if we will just turn toward Jesus, He will be our help.
Try as we may, we cannot pick ourselves up. Yet though we have no power of our own to turn to Him, He will come to us, seek us out, and rescue us.
There are many comforting words for my friend and for so many of us who ask the same question. “Your sins evoke his deepest heart for you, his compassion and pity. He is on your side. He sides with you against your sin. He hates your sin, but he loves you” (Dane Ortlund, 2020).
Jesus is the good shepherd who goes after the one lost sheep until he finds it (see Luke 15:3-4). He is the woman who seeks diligently until she finds her lost coin (v. 8). And He is the welcoming, forgiving father who runs to, embraces, and kisses his wayward son (v. 20).
When we struggle, we can turn to Jesus for help. When our faith is wobbly, when doubts fill our hearts, when we stumble again into the same sins, if we will just turn toward Jesus, He will be our help.
Try as we may, we cannot pick ourselves up. Yet though we have no power of our own to turn to Him, He will come to us, seek us out, and rescue us.
Scripture Focus
Luke 15:1-32
Insight
Jesus never gives up on us. He is always seeking after us. Turn to Him today and receive His welcoming embrace.
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 21-22
- Psalm 57
- Luke 21
