The Upper Room 4 December 2021 Daily Devotional | Saturday Message
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TODAY’S READING
Genesis 33:1-10
KEY VERSE: Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. – Genesis 33:4 (NRSV)
The Upper Room 4 December 2021 Daily Devotional Message
If ever anyone had reason to hold on to resentment, it was Esau. His younger brother Jacob stole his birthright by trickery and deceit. (See Genesis 27:1-41.) And yet, Esau forgave Jacob in an act of true brotherly love.
Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son also speaks of forgiveness — a father’s incredible affection for his son reunited a family. (See Luke 15:11-32.) In both stories, forgiveness and love combine in reconciliation.
One time at an airport, I saw the crowds greeting one another with embraces, kisses, smiles, and a few tears. I wondered if any of these people were there to greet a prodigal or a Jacob. There are countless broken relationships in the world. In light of that pain, God’s gift of reconciliation stands out starkly.
God models reconciling love through these Bible stories and also through Jesus Christ. As Paul explained, God reconciled us to God’s self and each other through Jesus Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 5:18.)
Because of God’s love and through the Holy Spirit, we all can be like Esau and the father of the prodigal son. We are able to say “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you” because we have first known the love of our Creator through Jesus Christ.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, teach us to love as you love. Bless us with a spirit of reconciliation so that we can apologize and forgive freely. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What relationships in my life need reconciliation?
PRAYER FOCUS
Broken relationships