Luke

“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 (NIV)

THE QUESTION

In a story Jesus told, a father sees his son coming home after wasting everything, and runs to throw his arms around him. Which book tells this story?

A) Matthew

B) Mark

C) Luke ✓

D) John

A closer look

Jesus told this story in Luke 15. A younger son asked for his share of the estate, set off for a distant country and spent everything he had (Luke 15:11-14). He came home hoping only to be taken on as a hired servant, but his father ran to meet him and called for the best robe, a ring and a feast (Luke 15:19-24).

Here’s a detail worth knowing: Jesus told it after the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:1-3). It is the third of three stories in a row, after a lost sheep and a lost coin, and all three end with a celebration (Luke 15:4-32).

If you thought of Matthew, that’s an easy mix-up. Matthew has a different story that begins the very same way: “There was a man who had two sons” (Matthew 21:28).

Today’s verse says to forgive “just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). The father in Jesus’ story ran to his son before the son had said a single word.

We hope this helped you grow in God’s Word today. Now head back to your email and tell us how you liked today’s devotional. 🙏