4. God’s Rescue Plan

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God the Father used an animal skin to cover their nakedness (Genesis 3:21). Their covering was the first animal sacrifice symbolic of God’s plan, through Jesus, the sacrificial lamb, to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

The Bible explains, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.” (Hebrews 9:22 ESV). God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was part of God’s secret rescue plan to save humanity from the disastrous effects of “The Fall.” Paul the Apostle writes, “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors [Adam and Eve]. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (1 Peter 1:18-19). 

The Father paved the way home for all those who desire to come home to Him through the sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only road home to the Father. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The road to restoration displays God’s love given to all humanity, and it is a road only traveled by those with faith in God’s restorative plan. God, filled with love and compassion, welcomes home all those who recognize their spiritual poverty and desire to restore their relationship with Him; this is the Good News invitation for all humanity! 

Not only did God give his Son, Jesus, but he also sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin. In the story of the Prodigal Son, the Holy Spirit caused the young boy to “come to his senses” and realize his plan of living independently from the Father was bankrupt. 

In John 16:7-8 (ESV), Jesus said, “I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, so all humanity has recognized their need for a savior. 

Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, you have the opportunity to be restored to the Father. The Father isn’t going to force His children to come home — you can freely choose whom you want to worship: the god of this world, Satan, or your Creator, God the Father. The Father is patiently longing, looking for repentant children who accept His invitation and come home. 

Fortunately for some, the hardships in life can be like a startling alarm clock, waking people up to the reality that they are living as an orphan in a famished land, spiritually empty, separated from their Heavenly Father.

CHAPTER INDEX: Introduction | The Prodigal Story | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Who are you in God’s Story?