Life’s Best Advice

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20 NLT)

If you can’t see yourself in the life of the prodigal son in Luke 15, you haven’t experienced forgiveness of sin and new life in Jesus. This is one of the most emotionally moving stories Jesus ever told, because it paints a picture of our Father God that was very foreign to the way the Jews saw Him.

This is the only time in Scripture where God runs. He sees the prodigal, not by accident, but because every day He’s been on his porch looking onto the horizon, expecting the return of his runaway son. Can you see Him? Do you feel His heart leap as He finally sees His son come into view? Instinctively, without thought, His feet begin to move, not in a slow methodical pace, but as quickly as they can in the direction of His wayward son.

His is not the attitude of an angry parent. He’s not running to meet the boy to scold or correct him. His goal is to say with His actions what His words could never convey – “I love you! I’ve missed you! I’m so happy you’re home!”

The text explains the boy’s repentant attitude, his desire for forgiveness, but not restoration. He’s not coming home as a son, but a servant, a slave. He expects, if anything, a lecture filled with “I told you so’s!” But he’s completely taken aback when he sees his Father running out to meet him.

A warm welcome and loving embrace wasn’t even on his radar, yet, here he is, in the arms of His Father, wanting to beg for forgiveness that’s already been given. He’s not just home, he’s alive again. It’s as if he’s finally been awakened from a horrible nightmare.

Of all the scenarios that crowded his thoughts as he made his way home, none came close to what he’s experiencing in this moment. How could it be? Not just any robe, the finest robe! A ring, signaling, not servanthood, but sonship! And sandals for his filthy, bare feet, conveying acceptance, a sense of belonging only extended to sons, not slaves.

Perhaps Bob Goff captured the intensity and majesty of those moments when he wrote: “The best advice I’ve been given when I’d failed was a hug.” 

Can you even begin to imagine how badly that young man smelled? How filthy dirty his clothes were? How scruffy and madded his hair and beard? He had no expectation that his Father would come close to him, let alone wrap His arms around him and kiss him!

Now put yourself in that young man’s new sandals and finest robe! Take a long, slow look at that beautiful ring on your finger! Take a deep breath and bask in the wonder of this moment! Your journey has ended. You’re in the arms of your Father. You’ve found your way home!

If you’re finding that too hard to believe for yourself, because you believe you’ve wandered too far, you’ve sinned too much, you can’t even imagine a happy ending to all the chaos and turmoil you’ve caused – please think again! Why? Because it’s not about you, it’s about Him! Always was! Always will be!

Our heavenly Father doesn’t forgive us on our merit. It’s NEVER because of anything we’ve done to deserve His forgiveness. It’s always and only based on the merit of our Savior, God’s Son, the Lord Jesus who gave His life so we could find ours. Fall into His holy arms and allow Him to invite you home!

If you’re not sure how to do that, click on Ron Hutchcraft’s Bridge to God link! Just know you’re not coming home to get advice, you’re coming home to receive a new, undeserved life!

Welcome home, my friend! Welcome home!

Blessings, Ed 😊