Mar 31: Weekly Reading- Parable of the Prodigal Son; The Repentant and Resentful & Insight Post by Kim Feld

  -   March 29, 2025

God’s Grace Extends to All Who Return: In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus illustrates how God’s grace is always available to those who return to Him. Despite the son’s reckless living, his father welcomes him back with open arms and celebration. This teaches us that no matter how far we stray, God is eager to receive us when we come back to Him.

Monday Verse

I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free. Isaiah 44:22 (NLT)

Monday Questions

Are there areas in my life where I have wandered from God? How can I turn back to Him, knowing that He will receive me with grace and forgiveness?

Monday Insight Post
by Kim Feld

Luke 15 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. It sheds so much light on God’s heart for those who are far from Him and His invitation to us to help pursue them as well. The message I get from Luke in this chapter is never give up on people; they are never so far from God that His grace can’t break through to them. That inspires me to join Him in this mission to help others find the same freedom I’ve found.

Henri Nouwen’s book The Return of the Prodigal Son is one of the books that has had the biggest impact on me. Nouwen writes about his journey in studying the Rembrandt painting, which has the same title, putting himself into the roles of each character and examining his own heart. I think we all want to see ourselves in the prodigal who is welcomed home and the loving father who shows grace and mercy, but the older brother? Not so much. But that’s the area of my heart that I know God calls me to examine over and over, where resentments, hurt feelings, and frustrations dwell. It’s a personal journey of growth and understanding that I believe many of us can relate to. 

I know my heart is prone to wander from God. In an attempt at control, I can strike out on my own, only to realize the utter frustration that accompanies trying to live a life without Jesus. But just like the loving father who watched the horizon for his child’s return, God looks for me and receives me with open arms when I recognize the error of my ways. I will never understand that kind of grace, but I am so grateful for it.

One of our supporting verses this week is found in Isaiah 44. Let’s take a look:

I have swept away your sins like a cloud.

    I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist.

Oh, return to me,

    for I have paid the price to set you free (Isaiah 44:22, NLT).

These are God’s words written about the restoration of Jerusalem, but I think they also reflect His heart towards us. He has paid the price to set us free – that’s the story of Easter we will celebrate in just a few weeks. All He asks is for us to return to Him.

Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org