Devotional Thought

Luke 15; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5–8

Many people assume God is distant, unapproachable, or only accessible to the religiously impressive. In Luke 15, Jesus tells a story that directly confronts that belief. The parable of the lost son reveals a Father who does not wait at a distance but moves toward his child in humility.

In the culture of Jesus’ day, a wealthy patriarch running through the village was shameful. Yet the father in the story runs anyway. By lifting his robe and exposing himself to public disgrace, he absorbs the shame his son would have faced. He takes the humiliation upon himself so the son can be restored.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly lowers Himself to be near His people. He appears to Abraham, shields Moses from His full glory, stands with Joshua before battle, and walks with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire. God’s greatness is not diminished by His closeness—it is revealed through it.

This pattern reaches its fullest expression in Jesus. In the Incarnation, God does not remain distant. He becomes human. In the cross, He does not avoid shame. He bears it. Jesus is stripped, mocked, and crucified—taking on the weight of human sin and shame so that we can be brought near without fear.

Divine humility means God is not reluctantly available; He is relentlessly present. He pursues the lost, absorbs shame, and invites people into relationship rather than keeping them at a distance. In Christ, God is not out of reach. He is near, approachable, and willing to carry what we cannot.

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you about the father’s response to the returning son?

2. How does the image of the father running change your understanding of how God responds to failure?

3. Where in your life have you felt shame create distance between you and God?

4. How does Jesus’ willingness to bear shame on the cross speak into those places?

5. What does it look like for followers of Jesus to reflect God’s humility and closeness in everyday life?

6. Who around you might believe that God is out of reach, and how could your presence challenge that belief?

Action Step

This week, identify one place where you have been holding onto shame or keeping distance from God or others. Bring it into the light through prayer, conversation, or action, and take one step toward presence—either with God or with someone who needs to experience His nearness.