Home, Part 2

When the prodigal son returned home with humility and a repentant heart, his father welcomed him with compassion, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.  My recent survey on what home means to people revealed that home represents the following categories: family, security, love, comfort, light, joy, and peace.  As I considered all of the responses in light of this parable, it occurred to me that Jesus represents every single category we think of, when we think of home.

Family
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:14-16)

Security
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”  (Proverbs 18:10)

Love
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and every one who loves is born of God and knows God.  The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love,” (1 John 4:7-8)

Comfort
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Light
“Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Joy
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11)

Peace
“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.” (Ephesians 2:14)

We are called to be like Christ. 

Whenever we encounter others, may we treat them as Jesus would. 

Let our every interaction make them feel like they just came home.