‘When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.’
The parable of the prodigal son tells us of how the younger son asks for his inheritance, God away and squanders it all, finds himself deserted by his ‘friends’, repents and returns to His father saying ‘I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.’
He gets two different reactions when he returns.
His father ‘when he was yet a great way off… saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.’
He brings the best robe, puts a ring on his hand, shoes on his feet and makes a feast to celebrate.
The elder son, hearing the celebration returns home from the fields and is angry and jealous. He tells his father how faithfully he has served him then says of his brother ‘as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.’
The brother saw only the sin and was suspicious. He saw the celebrations and was jealous.
The father saw a repentant son and rejoiced.
Our Heavenly Father is like the father in this parable. He sees the repentant sinner coming to Him and with a heart full of compassion He runs to embrace them, kisses them, forgives them and welcomes them home, all of heaven rejoicing with Him.
Oh the depth and the fullness of the love of our Father in Heaven to sinners – freely given to all that believe!
‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.’
With love
Luke15:11-32, Is 55:1-3