{"id":3775,"date":"2026-06-10T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/?p=3775"},"modified":"2026-06-06T14:28:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T19:28:15","slug":"the-father-who-ran-grace-faster-than-shame-luke-15-20-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/the-father-who-ran-grace-faster-than-shame-luke-15-20-24\/","title":{"rendered":"The Father Who Ran: Grace Faster Than Shame (Luke 15:20\u201324)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 id=\"h-the-audience-luke-is-writing-to\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Audience Luke Is Writing To<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Luke continues writing to <strong>Theophilus and readers seeking to understand the depth of God\u2019s grace and the character of the Father<\/strong>. Therefore, he records what may be the most powerful moment in the entire parable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For centuries, believers have been moved by this scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Jesus\u2019 original audience would have been shocked by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because everything the father does violates cultural expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And every action reveals the heart of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Luke 15:20-24 NASB<br>So he got up and came to his father. But 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. And the son said to him, &#8216;Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.&#8217; But the father said to his slaves, &#8216;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; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.&#8217; And they began to celebrate.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-key-focus-of-the-passage-and-jesus-character\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Focus of the Passage and Jesus\u2019 Character<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The focus is <b>on grace, restoration, and the Father&#8217;s pursuing love<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus reveals Himself as <strong>the perfect reflection of a Father who moves toward broken people instead of away from them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More importantly, He reveals that God\u2019s first response to genuine repentance is not condemnation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-people-in-the-interaction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The People in the Interaction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This section focuses on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>The Father<\/strong>, pursuing his son with extravagant love<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>The Younger Son<\/strong>, returning home in humility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>The Village Community<\/strong>, whose reaction would have been expected by Jesus\u2019 audience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-happened-in-the-scene\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Happened in the Scene<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The younger son begins the long journey home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He has rehearsed his speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He has prepared his confession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And he expects rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He hopes for survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At best, he believes he might become a servant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then Jesus says something remarkable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cWhile he was still a long way off, his father saw him.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That statement reveals something profound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father was watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Day after day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Month after month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps year after year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father never stopped looking down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The son had forgotten the father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father never forgot the son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then everything changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father sees him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And he runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-why-the-father-running-matters\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why the Father Running Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To modern readers, a father running toward his child seems natural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To Jesus\u2019 audience, it was astonishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Middle Eastern patriarchs did not run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Men of honor walked slowly and with dignity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Running required lifting the robe above the knees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Running exposed the legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And running risked humiliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Running surrendered dignity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet the father runs anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because his love is greater than his concern for personal honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father willingly embraces shame in order to reach his son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And in doing so, he provides one of the clearest pictures of God\u2019s grace found anywhere in Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-cultural-context-most-readers-miss\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Cultural Context Most Readers Miss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is another layer that makes this moment even more powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The younger son had publicly shamed his father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had taken the inheritance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had wasted it among Gentiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then he returned empty-handed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within Jewish culture, such actions could bring severe public disgrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many scholars point to a cultural practice known as <strong>Kezazah<\/strong>, a ceremony used when someone had dishonored the community by losing family inheritance among Gentiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The individual could be publicly rejected and cut off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether Jesus specifically intended His audience to think of this custom or simply the broader reality of village shame, they would have understood the danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The son deserved condemnation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He deserved humiliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He deserved rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This helps explain why the father runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father reaches the son before the village can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father publicly identifies with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the father covers him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father absorbs the shame himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before the community can speak judgment, the father declares acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before condemnation can arrive, grace arrives first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-interrupted-confession\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Interrupted Confession<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The son begins his rehearsed speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cFather, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then something incredible happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father interrupts him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The son never finishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He never reaches the part about becoming a servant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because the father has already made his decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Restoration is not under negotiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father is not evaluating the son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father is restoring him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-robe-the-ring-and-the-sandals\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Robe, The Ring, and The Sandals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Immediately, the father issues commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bring the best robe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Put a ring on his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Put sandals on his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are not random gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each carries tremendous meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-robe\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Robe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The robe symbolizes honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The son\u2019s shame is covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His dignity is restored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-ring\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Ring<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ring symbolizes authority and family identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The son is not being treated as a guest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He is being restored to the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-sandals\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Sandals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Servants often walked barefoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sons wore sandals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father is making a public declaration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is my son.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not a servant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not a hired worker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And not a second-class citizen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-feast-of-restoration\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Feast of Restoration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then the father orders a celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fattened calf is prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Music fills the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The village is invited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the father explains why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cFor this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice the father\u2019s perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He does not focus on the son\u2019s failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He focuses on the son\u2019s return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And He does not celebrate perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He celebrates restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-mood-and-tone\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mood and Tone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tone moves from <strong>fear \u2192 anticipation \u2192 pursuit \u2192 embrace \u2192 restoration \u2192 celebration<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And through every stage, grace overwhelms shame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-jesus-reveals\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Jesus Reveals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus reveals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">God watches for returning sinners<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">God\u2019s grace moves first<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Restoration is the Father\u2019s desire<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Shame does not have the final word<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Repentance is met with compassion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">God\u2019s love is greater than failure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-response-of-the-others\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Response of the Others<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-son\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Son<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He returns expecting judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, he receives grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-father\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Father<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He demonstrates the very heart of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He pursues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And He embraces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He restores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He celebrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-lesson-for-us-in-2026\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Lesson for Us in 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-1-god-s-grace-moves-toward-us\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. God\u2019s Grace Moves Toward Us<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father did not wait for the son to earn acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He ran to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-2-shame-is-not-the-end-of-the-story\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Shame Is Not the End of the Story<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grace reaches people before shame can define them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-3-restoration-is-god-s-goal\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Restoration Is God\u2019s Goal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father restores sonship, not merely forgiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-4-god-s-love-is-active\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. God\u2019s Love Is Active<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father watches, moves, embraces, and celebrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-5-we-cannot-outrun-the-father-s-heart\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. We Cannot Outrun the Father\u2019s Heart<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No distance is greater than His willingness to pursue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-final-reflection\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Reflection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most famous moment in the parable is not the son\u2019s return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is the father\u2019s run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because in that moment, Jesus reveals what God is truly like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Father who watches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Father who waits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And a Father who runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Father who willingly absorbs shame so His children can be restored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Long before the son reaches the house, the father is already moving toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that is the Gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God\u2019s grace arrives before our shame can finish speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So the question becomes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do we still believe we must earn our way back to God\u2014or are we willing to trust the Father who is already running toward us?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-suggested-reading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Suggested Reading:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-stand-firm wp-block-embed-stand-firm\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"8MewabzFoX\"><a href=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/there-is-only-one-example-worth-following-jesus-christ\/\">There Is Only One Example Worth Following: Jesus Christ<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cThere Is Only One Example Worth Following: Jesus Christ\u201d \u2014 Stand Firm\" src=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/there-is-only-one-example-worth-following-jesus-christ\/embed\/#?secret=dhN4nf5qZb#?secret=8MewabzFoX\" data-secret=\"8MewabzFoX\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-stand-firm wp-block-embed-stand-firm\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"xBbSffXNzo\"><a href=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/god-values-our-presence-over-our-performance\/\">God Values Our Presence Over Our Performance<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cGod Values Our Presence Over Our Performance\u201d \u2014 Stand Firm\" src=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/god-values-our-presence-over-our-performance\/embed\/#?secret=hY1zDs60Cg#?secret=xBbSffXNzo\" data-secret=\"xBbSffXNzo\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-stand-firm wp-block-embed-stand-firm\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"KDWIPEjq1F\"><a href=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/accountability-is-a-key-to-living-a-life-submitted-to-god-but-it-only-works-when-you-are-willing-to-be-held-to-account\/\">Accountability Is A Key To Living A Life Submitted To God, But It Only Works When You Are Willing To Be Held To Account!<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cAccountability Is A Key To Living A Life Submitted To God, But It Only Works When You Are Willing To Be Held To Account!\u201d \u2014 Stand Firm\" src=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/accountability-is-a-key-to-living-a-life-submitted-to-god-but-it-only-works-when-you-are-willing-to-be-held-to-account\/embed\/#?secret=QDFJsz6McM#?secret=KDWIPEjq1F\" data-secret=\"KDWIPEjq1F\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-stand-firm wp-block-embed-stand-firm\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"V0xPnnGe3c\"><a href=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/boy-jesus-in-the-temple-luke-2-41-52\/\">The Boy Jesus in the Temple: Early Awareness of His Mission (Luke 2:41\u201352)<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cThe Boy Jesus in the Temple: Early Awareness of His Mission (Luke 2:41\u201352)\u201d \u2014 Stand Firm\" src=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/boy-jesus-in-the-temple-luke-2-41-52\/embed\/#?secret=Llgmv3fcqE#?secret=V0xPnnGe3c\" data-secret=\"V0xPnnGe3c\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Luke 15:20\u201324, Jesus reveals the heart of the Father through one of the most moving scenes in Scripture. Before shame can reach the son, grace reaches him 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