Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Listen to the Word

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20b)

Jesus tells a story we have labeled “the parable of the prodigal son.” But a better title might be “the parable of the loving father.” The father in the story represents our heavenly Father, and everything he does in the story is surprising.

In today’s verse, we see the father’s reaction to the return of his rebellious son. First, the father sees him while he is still a long way off. This father is longing for the son to return and scanning the horizon for him. Second, the father is not filled with anger over the way the son has shamed his name; rather, he is instead filled with compassion for him. Third, the father runs to his son. Running was considered to be very undignified behavior for first century men – it would require pulling up your garment and showing the whole world your first century skivvies. Fourth, the father greets the son not with a lecture or a beating, but with a joyful embrace and a kiss.

If you ever hesitate about returning to God after some time in the moral far country, wondering whether God would want you back, just read about the father in Jesus’ story. Take a step toward home, and your heavenly Father will run the rest of the way to embrace you.

Live the Word

Ask God to help you feel his love today – not just know about it as an abstract idea, but experience it down deep in your bones.