Joel M Bradshaw

3He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.–Proverbs 29

1. Jesus no doubt also had this proverb on His mind when He told the famous Prodigal Son parable in Luke 15.
2. Jesus’ audience that day was most likely expecting the father in the parable to treat the disrespectful, squandering son like he deserved.
3. The other brother in the parable most likely expected his father to treat his brother with contempt. He is also in this proverb.
4. But here’s the thing. Grace is never deserved. It is always God’s love shown to the undeserving.
5. The prodigal received it, and when we repent, so do we.
6. A son making wise choices makes a father glad. But a son repenting of his evil and returning to God, makes dad CELEBRATE.
7. We are each that prodigal son. Grace is always undeserved. That first century crowd needed to hear that story told. This 21st century crowd does, too. Thank you, Jesus.–JMB