I have sinned too much…

Many people have made this statement to me over the years. I have a hard time hearing it every time.

Why? I am concerned about the beliefs that cause people to say it.

In Luke 15, The Pharisees and scribes are mad at Jesus for receiving and eating with sinners. So, Jesus tells 3 parables in response: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son.

The Shepherd celebrates when He finds the sheep that was lost. The woman celebrates when she finds the lost coin. The Father celebrates when the prodigal son came to his senses, returned to the Father, and confessed his sins.

Despite the prodigal’s sin, Jesus tells that, “while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Moreover the father instructs, “Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.”

Why would the father respond to such a sinful son this way? Here’s what the father says, “for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

I believe Jesus told these three parables to teach us that God the Father welcomes repentant sinners, forgives them, and restores them—on the basis of what Jesus would accomplish in His death and resurrection, not because our sin is light or our efforts are enough.

This welcome is not a license to keep sinning, but an invitation into a restored life with the Father.

If you are a person who has made or continues to make the statement, “I have sinned to much,” then I encourage you to embrace what Jesus says here. Moreover, I encourage you to turn from that sin, run to the Father, confess your sin for forgiveness, and ask for restoration.

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

There’s a whole other lesson here about the brother who stayed at the house. Maybe we can talk about him tomorrow.

Today, run to the Father!