What kind of father is yours? This story gets taken for granted often. When you think about it, this verse contains the crux of the whole issue of grace. The father had compassion on his son as he saw him returning home. We are not told what the thoughts were which flooded through the father’s mind at this precise moment. But can’t we imagine them? The same humanity that we partake of was in this man. He could have been tempted to be angry at his son — he could see his condition from afar. This one had strayed so far from the intent that the father had for him. He could have remained calm and stoic, waiting where he was in silence as the son approached to maintain the sense of authority and respect which was without doubt due him.
But he didn’t. Any other feelings that flooded him were swept away by the great love which he had for this wretched and pitiful creature which had been broken by his own sin. He ran. He ran and embraced his son with extreme passion. Then, in spite of the stench of forbidden pigs and who knows what else, the father kissed his son.
That is grace, my friend. And that is my Father. Welcome home. Welcome to the great love of God.
