A Father’s Heart
“So he got up and went to his father. "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. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15: 20 - 24)
Whether it is King David crying "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!"; (2 Sam 18:33) OR Jacob crying out “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” (Gen 42: 36); in both we cannot but see the heart of a true father.
The story in Luke 15 is one of a son who asks the father of his share of the inheritance and leaves home for a far country. He goes to a place where he is far from his father’s control, far from godly counsel. Many times, what is considered freedom is destruction. The son squanders his inheritance and is soon reduced to looking after pigs. It is at this low state that he came to his senses and decided to return. A very wise decision.
The Bible says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him……..He ran to his son”. The Bible says, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). Friends, what a joy. All this while the Father had never given up on his son. I thank God that He never gave up on me. While I wallowed in sin, procrastinated, He remained the Patient Father that He is. He kept looking. He kept waiting, He kept hoping that one day I would emerge from the horizon. Friend, this encourages me; It tells me not to give up on my sisters, my brothers, my parents and my friends that are yet to confess Jesus Christ as Lord. One day, I will have the joy of seeing them come into the Kingdom in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
The son was in in the Book of Luke, was in rags and he had even rehearsed what he would say to his father, but the Father’s heart was too big not to receive him. The Father ran to meet him. The Fathers heart overflowed with love, even while the son was still in rags. The Father hugged him and kissed him. The Father’s heart was full of compassion. It does not matter what state we might be in, God’s love overlooks all that. What a Father!!!
Friend, there was no time to ask the son what had happened; the past had been forgotten, thrown into a sea called forgetfulness and a new chapter opened. A new Robe given, A new Ring received, New Shoes given, A new Meal eaten and for sure A new Son in the house.
Our Father, who art in heaven, loved us so much that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever shall believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. What a gift from the Father. May we forever cherish this great gift from a Father’s heart. Friend, if you have already received this gift, its celebration time; rejoice. If you have not, I take this opportunity to whisper to you “Jesus loves you and he wants you home”. We are ready to celebrate, come on home. The Father’s heart is too big, do not worry about what you have done or not done; He loves you just as you are. Even with rags on. He is a Great Father.
Let us Pray
Father, your heart overflows with love toward us; may you cause us to be faithful and never to leave you but totally enjoy your unfailing love. Help us to show this love to all that we encounter in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
