In the dark of night, a young man crept slowly and quietly toward the steps of his parents’ house. He pulled a small key from one of his pockets. With it, he unlocked the door and slipped inside. He climbed the stairs cautiously and felt his way to the door of a room. Sighing with relief, he stood still and pressed the doorknob slightly. It gave way, and he stepped inside. The streetlight illuminated the room sufficiently. There stood a neat, clean bed, invitingly made for the weary, homesick, wandering son. On a chair beside it lay his nightclothes, and in front of the bed stood a pair of beautiful slippers. With a sigh of deepest heartache, the returning son fell to his knees before the bed in prayer to God. He was no burglar. No, he was a homesick, wretched young man who had crept home under the cover of the dark night to die there.
Two years before this incident, he had knelt by that same bedside as his devout mother lay dying. Afterward, forgetting her admonitions, he left his parents’ home to live as he pleased. As he wandered from place to place, a letter that had been redirected many times finally reached him one day. The envelope contained nothing but a small key to the door of his parents’ house. He carried the key in his pocket for a long time before he found the courage to return home. It was always a reminder to him that he was welcome at home, that his father was still waiting for him.
The next morning after the prodigal son had returned home, the father went, as was his custom, to the room that had always been kept ready for his son’s return. He did not expect his son that morning, for he had often been disappointed; yet he opened the door as usual.
He could hardly believe his eyes when he saw his son lying sick and miserable in bed. The father looked at him with deep compassion. Then the son opened his eyes and said, “Father, I have come home to die. I have been so very sinful! Can you forgive me?” And he wept with a heavy heart.
The father replied quickly, “I forgive you, my son. But have you also asked God to forgive all your sins?” “Yes, Father,” said the son, “that is why I came home—to tell you what God has done for me before I die.”
“Die,” said the father, embracing his son, “die, now that I’ve just found you again? No, never!” And thanks to the careful and loving care he received at home, the son recovered from his serious illness.
One day, he said to his father, “Father, I would never have made it home before dark if you hadn’t sent me the key to the front door. As I was wandering along on a cold, stormy night, I was overcome by a longing for the warm, cozy home. I couldn’t resist any longer and set off.” –
Dear reader, can you see yourself in the story of the prodigal son? Have you ever wanted to go your own way and explore what the world has to offer? Perhaps you’ve drifted from your home, your Christian upbringing, church, or Sunday school – things that once meant so much to you. You may have fallen under the influence of sin, addictions, or harmful habits. This has led you onto the broad road of destruction, into transgression, into unrighteousness, into lawlessness, to your own shame, and to the harm of both body and soul.
Today you may feel very unhappy, unfulfilled, lonesome, and homeless. You may recall the quiet hours of your childhood in your parents’ home. Perhaps words your parents taught you—words that Jesus spoke—still ring in your ears: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” This shows us that heaven is a prepared place and therefore also a place for prepared people. Heaven is a place for those who have repented and who have allowed themselves to be prepared to one day possess eternal joy.
Although the prodigal son received no words of encouragement from his father to return home, his father did send him the key to the front door of their family home. The son understood his father’s attitude toward him through this gesture. He knew that a home awaited him. He used the key, went inside, and was home—not only in his father’s house, but with his father himself.
Dear reader, whether young or no longer young: there is a key that will open the door to eternal happiness for you as well, a word that the heavenly Father has spoken to you: “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). These are the words spoken by Jesus Christ. They reveal the attitude of your heavenly Father. He loves you, He is waiting for your arrival, and He will not cast you out. Do as the son did in our story. He went home just as he was—miserable, sick, and weary. He did not try to improve or fix himself, but allowed God to give him a new heart. He found a joyful welcome in his father’s house. No reproach awaited him, only love and infinite compassion. So it will be for you as well.
Take hold of the precious key that unlocks the father heart of God. Surrender yourself to God with all your sins in repentance and faith. Come to Him just as you are. He understands you and knows your needs. He is ready to help you. He wants to forgive you everything and give you the place in the Father’s house that He has prepared for you.
While your soul wanders in darkness and night, lonely, misunderstood, and unfulfilled, a home full of light and love, warmth and joy awaits you. The key lies in your hand! Hurry, use it, and your wandering soul will be safe for time and eternity.
M.H.
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