He Ran

April 24

Joshua 11-12

Psalm 50:7-15

Proverbs 12:1-3

Luke 15:11-32

He Ran

“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 15:20 NIV

This is a beautiful picture of forgiveness, mercy, and grace. The most touching part of this parable is that the father did not make the son come crawling back. He didn’t wait at the house and watch out the window as his son walked slowly up the driveway, scared and embarrassed. He didn’t make him come in, apologize, and beg for forgiveness. He didn’t reluctantly tell him that he could come back, but he had to agree to a list of conditions and if he messed up again, he was out for good. Instead, we are given a very different picture. The father saw his son when he was a long way off. I know I am reading between the lines, but I have an image in my mind of a father sitting by the window for days watching the driveway hoping to see his long-lost son. He was worried and afraid he would never see his son again. Then suddenly, off at a distance he saw something coming up the road. He was so excited that he just ran out the door as fast as he could. The son had been feeding pigs. He was bound to be dirty and smelly, but his father didn’t care. He threw his arms around him and kissed him. He welcomed him back with no questions asked and threw a party to celebrate.

Thankfully, this is a picture of our Heavenly Father’s love for us. No matter how far we stray or what we may do, He will always welcome us back. He is waiting and watching for us and as soon as He sees us coming, He runs to meet us. No matter how dirty or smelly we may be when we turn back to Him, He doesn’t care. He will throw His arms around us, kiss us, and throw a party to celebrate. His love for us is boundless. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)