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Audible TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 13–14; Psalm 147; Luke 15 One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion,...
Key Takeaways
- In Luke 15, Jesus shares three powerful stories about finding lost things, including a lost sheep, a lost coin, and two lost sons.
- God is not standing at a distance waiting for lost people to find their own way home; instead, He is actively searching and running toward us.
- Both the younger brother lost in his appetites and the older brother lost in his pride reveal how easily we misunderstand the Father's heart.
- The concept of finding lost things is beautifully mirrored in Psalm 147, which reminds us that God heals the brokenhearted and gathers the outcasts.
- Whether you feel like you have wandered far away or have become distant while staying close to home, the Father's invitation is to let yourself be found.
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- TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
Zechariah 13–14; Psalm 147; Luke 15
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One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus’ kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved.
TODAY’S EPISODE
Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible. Today is October 2nd, and our readings are Zechariah 13–14, Psalm 147, and Luke 15.
Zechariah gives us visions of cleansing, restoration, and God's presence among his people.
Psalm 147 tells us that God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He gathers the outcasts and brings them home.
And then we come to Luke 15.
Jesus tells three stories about lost things.
A shepherd loses a sheep.
A woman loses a coin.
And a father loses his sons.
In each story, something precious has been lost.
And in each story, the heart of God is revealed in the finding.
The shepherd searches.
The woman searches.
The father runs toward the younger son and then goes outside looking for the older one.
And when what is lost is found, there's a party.
Jesus is showing us what God is like.
God is not standing at a distance waiting for lost people to somehow find their own way home.
God is the Good Shepherd who goes looking.
God is the Good Father who runs down the road.
And God is the Father who walks out of the party to find the child who is standing just outside the door.
Maybe that's the invitation today.
Let yourself be found.
And come join the party.
TODAY’S DEVOTION
The Father Who Finds Lost Things
God has a way of finding lost things.
That's what Luke 15 is about.
A lost sheep.
A lost coin.
And two lost boys.
We usually call this last story the parable of the prodigal son.
And usually our attention goes immediately to the younger brother.
And for good reason.
He is obviously lost.
He asks his father for his inheritance.
He leaves home.
He travels to a distant land.
He wastes everything.
And eventually he finds himself hungry, broken, and feeding pigs.
He's lost.
But then Jesus tells us something beautiful.
He comes to his senses.
Something awakens in him.
He remembers his father's house.
And so he begins the long journey home.
But the younger brother isn't the only lost son in the story.
There's another one.
The older brother.
He's been home the whole time.
He's been working.
He's been responsible.
He's followed the rules.
He's done what was expected of him.
And he's lost too.
The younger brother is lost in his appetites.
The older brother is lost in his pride.
One has wandered into a distant country.
The other has managed to become distant from his father's heart while never leaving the property.
And maybe that's the more dangerous kind of lostness.
Because it's harder to recognize.
You can be in the house and still not know the Father's heart.
You can be religious.
Responsible.
Obedient.
Hardworking.
And still imagine that everything the Father has must somehow be earned.
Listen to the older brother.
“All these years I've slaved for you.”
Slaved.
That's how he sees himself.
Not as a son.
As a slave.
And that's exactly how the younger brother planned to return too.
“I'll go home and ask my father to make me one of his hired servants.”
Both boys misunderstand their father.
Both imagine their relationship with him in terms of servitude.
One runs away from the Father.
The other works for the Father.
But neither seems to understand what it means simply to be loved by the Father.
And the Father goes after both.
When the younger son is still a long way off, his father sees him.
He runs.
He embraces him.
He kisses him.
Before the boy can finish his speech, the Father is already restoring him.
Bring the robe.
Bring the ring.
Bring the sandals.
Prepare the feast.
My son was lost, and now he is found.
But then the Father notices someone else is missing.
The older brother.
He's standing outside.
Angry.
Refusing to come in.
So what does the Father do?
He goes out to him too.
The Father leaves the party to find another lost son.
And his words are so tender:
“My dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.”
Everything I have is yours.
You don't have to earn this.
You don't have to compete with your brother.
You don't have to prove your worth.
You're my son.
Come inside.
Join the party.
That's the heart of God.
The shepherd goes looking for the sheep.
The woman goes looking for the coin.
The Father goes looking for both sons.
God has a way of finding lost things.
Maybe you identify with the younger brother today.
Maybe you've wandered.
Maybe you've made choices you regret.
Maybe shame has convinced you that you have forfeited your place at the table.
Look down the road.
The Father is running toward you.
Or maybe you're the older brother.
You've tried hard.
You've done the right things.
You've been faithful.
But somewhere along the way, faith became labor.
Relationship became obligation.
And you started thinking like a servant instead of a beloved child.
The Father comes looking for you too.
He's standing outside with you.
“My dear son.”
“My dear daughter.”
“Everything I have is yours.”
Come inside.
Psalm 147 says that God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
He gathers the outcasts.
That's what Jesus shows us.
This is the Father's heart.
He gathers.
He heals.
He restores.
He finds.
And then he celebrates.
So wherever you are today, let yourself be found.
If you're far away, look toward home.
If you're standing just outside the door, listen for the Father's voice.
The party isn't complete without you.
Come home.
Come inside.
Receive the robe.
Receive the ring.
Receive your place at the table.
You are not a slave.
You are a beloved child.
And the Father has come looking for you.
That's the prayer I have for my own soul.
That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son.
And that's the prayer I have for you.
May we see the Good Father today.
May we see the Good Shepherd.
May we awaken to the God who is always pursuing our hearts.
And may we hear him say:
“My dear son, my dear daughter, all I have is yours. Come, let's join the party.”
May it be so.
TODAY'S PRAYERS:
Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.
Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen
And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray...
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Luke 15 in this podcast episode?
Luke 15 emphasizes the heart of God in finding lost things, illustrating through parables how God actively seeks out the lost, whether they wander far away or become distant in their pride.
How are both the younger and older brothers considered lost?
The younger brother is lost in his appetites and distant rebellion, while the older brother is lost in his pride and views his relationship with the father through servitude rather than love.
What does Psalm 147 teach about God's character?
Psalm 147 reveals that God heals the brokenhearted, bandages their wounds, and gathers outcasts, perfectly aligning with the picture of the searching and celebrating Father in Luke 15.
