Not everyone is as fortunate as Alfred Nobel, who in 1888 read his own obituary in a French newspaper. One of his brothers had died, but a careless reporter had used a statement prepared for the wrong man.
Alfred, the principal inventor of dynamite, was disappointed with the published account. He was described as a "merchant of death" who had made a fortune from explosives and human exploitation. This haunting image caused him to reevaluate his life and revamp his will. Consequently, his money has made possible awards for individuals who excel in making the world a better place. We call these awards the Nobel Prize.
Like Alfred Nobel, whose realization caused a reversal in lifestyle, the younger sibling in Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son comes to the realization that his life of frivolity and waste had to be reversed. He had run out of opportunities, but he humbled himself to go home to his father, offering himself as a mere servant. Instead of banishing his son, the father welcomed his son home with open arms, saying "This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!" (Luke 15:24 NIV).
When we repent of what we have done and humbly come before the Master asking for forgiveness, our Lord rejoices. To Him, we are a lost child who come home. Today, let's thank God for leaving an open invitation for us to come home by turning away from our sins and running back to Him.
