“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” Luke 15: 20 (NKJV)
As a young boy, I recalled my mom, a single parent, preparing my two older siblings and me every Saturday for Sabbath Church. It was during one of the Sabbath School lessons, that I vividly remember the story of the Prodigal Son. As I grew, I have repeatedly heard this sermon preached and taught in various churches.
When Jesus taught the people, He spoke in parables – a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. The parable in Luke 15: 11-32 tells the account of a father and his two sons, where one was responsible and the other abdicated, going on to live a reckless life. Could you imagine the feelings of the father towards his youngest son as he walked away with no consideration? But the Bible records, ‘he came to his senses’ and returned to his father’s house.
We were not told how long he was away but the day he returned home, his father saw him. Moved by compassion, he ran, embraced, and kissed him (v20). What a way to greet the lost and suffering! The father did not wait for a confession before embracing his lost son in love, he embraced him because of love. And then called for a celebration. This is “A Father’s Love.”
This is the love you and I as parents are called to demonstrate daily, “full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” (Psalms 86:15 – NKJV).
Today we have so much to thank our Heavenly Father for, beginning with His love towards us through the redemptive work of Salvation, by sending Jesus to die for our sins on the cross. Let our hearts be filled with gratitude, praise and thanksgiving for God’s unconditional love towards us. Let us follow His example. Amen.
Read: Luke 15:11-32; Psalms 86:15; John 3:16; Matthew 13:35
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 38:13-22; Luke 8:1-18; Numbers 27:12-23; Numbers 28; Numbers 29:1-11
