(Audio)
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
The parable of the prodigal son isn't nearly so much about what either son did wrong as it is about the heart of the father. He never stops loving the son who treats him as if he were dead so that he can have and squander his inheritance. He never stops loving the son who remains with him even as that son grows resentful and bitter for his imagined lack of blessing.
The father is waiting for an opportunity to love his sons. He loves the prodigal when he is still far away. The Father himself draws us to turn back toward him. He himself runs out to meet us. When we don't realize our blessings he is quick to remind us that all he has is ours in Christ.
For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s (see First Corinthians 3:21-23)
God is really looking for the slightest excuse to forgive us and to bless us. He does not delight in the death of the sinner (see Ezekiel 33:11). He is not some angry old man looking for reasons to condemn. He himself runs to meet us so that we might have life and have it to the full (see John 10:10).
Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
The Father has a heart of kindness and mercy for each one of us. He is drawing us now. He asks whether we are content with the slop of pigs. He asks whether we are content to live near the blessings of the LORD without sharing in the feast. He invites us to enter in.
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
Let us enter into the feast.
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