August 20, 2007

 

“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

--Luke 15:20

 

The parable of the prodigal son is one of the most dramatic pictures of God’s love in all of Scripture.

 

I love how Luke 15:20 says, “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

 

What a picture of God Almighty! What a picture of God the Father! I especially like the way Phillips translates the second phrase of that verse. It says, “His father’s heart went out to him while he was yet a long way off.”

 

This is not a father who can’t wait to punish his sinful son. This is not a father who has written that boy off as wasted and worthless. This is a loving, caring father who cannot wait to embrace his son and to welcome him home!

 

So the father leaves the house and runs down the road to meet his son and to embrace him and bring him in.

 

What I hope you see here is a picture of God the Father’s love for you. It’s an aggressive love…a love that’s eager and excessive. His love is approachable. And His love is abundant…no matter what you have done!

 

The prodigal son’s father didn’t hold back his emotions toward his child. And neither will God ever withhold His love from you!

 

AS A LOVING Father, god will never withhold his love from you.