Coming to the Father Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Coming to the Father ------------------- Date: 10/18/2001 Keywords: "repentance" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: John 14:6* Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Questions 1. Have you ever had to admit you were wrong?   2. Do you recall a time you were forgiven for something you had done? How did it feel? How did it change you?   Practical help This is the fifth of six studies on John 14:6. Today, let’s think about what it means to come to our Father in heaven. First, when we think about the names of God in the Old Testament, God was not known as "father." So to Jesus’ disciples who heard Him speak about His Father, it was a deeper potential intimacy Jesus was offering them with God the Father, than they would have ever dreamed possible through the teachings of all the other religious people of their time. The idea of coming to the Father should remind us of what is probably Jesus’ most famous story, that of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). In the story, the youngest of two sons demands his inheritance even before his father has assumed room temperature, so it was an insultingly strange request. Furthermore, in that society, the only one who normally inherited anything was the oldest male. It was his job then, to take care of all the others. So this son not only didn’t deserve anything from his father because he was an arrogant selfish brat, but also because customarily, not much was due him. More surprising than the selfishness of the son, is the response of the Father. Rather than throwing him out, he gives him a sizable amount of money and permits him to leave. Based on the fact the Father looked for the return of this son every day, it is obvious he did not kick him out. One day in a far country, this reprobate wakes up to the reality of his situation. The money is all gone along with all those "friends" who hung around while there was a party. He is seriously considering eating the corn husks he is supposed to be feeding to the pigs. It is at this point he decides that life as a hired servant of his Father’s would be better than this. So he heads home all the while thinking up a good story to impress his dad. That’s how we all come to the Father, not with great accomplishments, but with terrible messes. The good news is that He sees us coming from far away and runs to greet us and cover us with His royal robes. Don’t wait another minute. If you are in a far country called Porn, turn around and come back to the Father. He has already told what He will do eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2001 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."