Transformed – teen devotion – March 30, 2025

One key truth: Believers need not fear God’s condemnation because he loves us despite ourselves.

Then Jesus told them this parable…
“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“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.
“The son said to him, ‘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’s have a 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.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Luke 15:3,11-32

Grace Instead of Condemnation

When we hear this parable, a common question that comes up is, “Which son do you relate to?” It’s a fair question, but I think it kind of misses the real point.

No matter which son you think you’re like, the truth is we’re all sinners. Both sons rebelled. Both wanted something for themselves. Both had that “me first” attitude fueled by selfishness. Both turned away from the blessings they had and wanted more.

We can totally relate to that, can’t we? Think about little kids who always say “mine” before they can even say full sentences. Parents hope for “mama” or “dada” as their baby’s first words, but often it’s just “mine.” It’s like we’re born with this “me first” attitude, and that’s a problem we can’t fix on our own. It’s a reminder that we need someone to save us from this selfishness that takes over.

That’s where God’s grace comes in. His “open door policy” isn’t about punishment; it’s about grace. It’s not about what we deserve, but about what God gives us freely through Jesus Christ.

During this Lenten season, take a moment to think about the huge price it cost to save us. Jesus gave his life for us, and his sacrifice paid the price for all our sins. Reflect on his humanity, the life he lived, and the blood he shed for us. When you think about him being taken down from the cross, remember that this is God’s plan of salvation, completed in the ultimate sacrifice.

And then, instead of focusing on what we deserve, let’s rejoice because God loves us in spite of ourselves and offers us the gift of eternal life with him, totally free of charge.

Prayer:
Lord God, you are the only one worthy of my praise. I trust you for everything and ask that you never leave me. Amen.