"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
I believe virtually everyone is familiar with the Parable of the Prodigal Son, however I'd like to view this through the eyes of a loving God toward each of us. It really resonates just how much love the Lord has toward us regardless to what degree we may have strayed from Him. Let's review the way this Parable was presented by Jesus:
A man had two sons and the younger one requested his share of the estate. The property was equally divided between the two and not long afterward, the young son gathered everything and eventually squandered his wealth on a wild lifestyle which eventually led him to financial and moral bankruptcy. To make things worse, a severe famine occurred in the entire country which forced the younger son to reevaluate his decision causing him to repent and intending to make his remorseful confession to his Father as he started on his way back home. However, something spectacular happened BEFORE he could reach his father > Read Again the verse above from Luke 15:20!!
"WHO'S YOUR DADDY!"
Now there is so much more going on here than first meets the eye. We as the reader or listener at the time Jesus shared this Parable, knew the younger son had repented and was heading back home to ask forgiveness, but his Father wasn't aware of his intention yet. It says "while he was still a long way off" doesn't it? How many of us would have held a different viewpoint seeing our wayward son in the distance on his way back. Would we have surmised, he was probably coming back for another handout, or see if he could crash at our home until he got the itch to leave again. If we're brutally honest, a number of us would have had a negative bent and expected the worst not the best. We may have gone back inside instead of running toward our son or daughter.
That's the way we've been conditioned in this world, but not in His kingdom.
"THAT'S YOUR DADDY"
Some of us men and women reading this passage can relate with going off the path, missing the mark, getting caught up in something we never intended. Perhaps others are having a struggle attempting to relate to a loving Father or Mother or Family when we attempted to make it back,.... there was no one running toward us. They'd given up on us and practicing a worldly "Tough Love" instead of a "TOUGHER LOVE" demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ. That's Right > the Apostle Paul defined what I've come to identify as "TOUGHER LOVE" in the following passage:
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His Own Love for us in this: While we were still sinners > Christ died for us. Romans 5: 6 - 8
I've underscored in the Apostle Paul's verses which are mirrored in the Parable of the Prodigal Son as the Father, his Daddy came running to embrace him prior to his confession as a still powerless, ungodly, sinner receiving his unconditional love. And there's even more! Here's the rest of the story:
His younger son indeed confessed his sin with such remorse he even stated he wasn't worthy to be called his son. The loving Father placed a robe around him, a ring on his finger, sandals on his feet and celebrated by stating his previously dead son was now alive; once lost but now found! The older brother heard the music and dancing and inquired to a servant what was going on. He was told about his younger brother returning home and how his Father was so overjoyed he decided to throw a party to celebrate his return. Needless to say, the older faithful son felt slighted and once again the Father took the same initiative and came to him to explain his decision. He assured the older son that everything he has is his and that everyone should celebrate and be glad. His brother was dead and now is alive; once lost > now found.
Sometimes it's challenging for people who haven't had a serious setback to relate to those who do. We can become a little self righteous and take a harder line to those we may see as 'weak' in the midst of a struggle. Some can't relate to feelings like compassion or empathy. Perhaps it has to hit closer to home; more personal to really understand how things can happen and turn your world upside down. My prayer is that all of us learn from Jesus and the love His Father had for giving His Only Son for each of us to live. We need to allow that same love radiate from our hearts and demonstrate His love toward those around us.
Please enjoy this song: Don Francisco - I Don't Care Where You've Been Sleeping.
As you think of someone you know who is in the midst of a struggle, say a prayer, shed a tear and thank the Lord in advance for their coming to know Him. Then run > Call, E-mail, Text whoever this person is and let them know how much you love him/her.
"JUST LIKE YOUR HEAVENLY DADDY"
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