The Broken: Destined To Life

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

Jesus told a parable of a lost son who had made an early request of his inheritance from his father. After this son “squandered his estate with loose living,” a famine also occurred in that country. So, he hired himself out to feed pigs. He was so hungry he considered eating what he was feeding to the pigs. When he came to his senses, he went back to his father with the intention to work as a hired man. “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” (Luke 15:11–20).

The father then ordered his slaves to dress the son in the best robe, put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. He also instructed that the fattened calf should be slain and prepared for a celebration; “for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” And so, they celebrated the return of the son (Luke 15:21–24). Jesus told this parable to show there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, and then returns to God (Luke 15:10, 32; Psalm 51:17; James 4:6).

To get to the point of repentance a person has to admit the utter inability to save oneself. There is no self-help program that a person can study in order to save oneself from punishment in hell. There is no alternate path to heaven (Matthew 7:13–14; Luke 13:24). Those who truly desire salvation must humble themselves before the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28–30; James 4:8–10; 1 Peter 5:6–7). Those who are hungry enough for the life God offers will come to Jesus with empty hands; offering nothing, expecting everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

When the lost son had been broken of his pride, and realized he could not help himself, he turned back to the one person he knew who could help. And so it is with us, when we have tried the way of the world and found that it only leads to eternal separation from God, we must turn to Jesus for all that pertains to life. Therefore, as Moses said to the Israelites “choose life in order that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:15, 19; John 5:24).