WHAT AN IMAGE!!!

When we read the Parable of the Prodigal Son, many times we see the son, and miss the Father, who is symbolical to the LORD God Almighty. It is indeed a tragedy, that we focus on the son, even though it is not wrong to do so, but miss out of the heart of God.

The image of the Father, that comes out so vividly in the parable, is that of an amazing person – warm, loving, caring, compassionate and forgiving. Many times we miss the point about the Father, by being the “Elder Son” or may be the “Younger Son” while studying the parable.

Let us read the passage from Luke 15:20 -24 to see the heart of God bursting forth… 
– “20 “And he [the Prodigal son] arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”

Let us break up the passage, to see the beautiful image of the Father, and that of God, that comes up…
– But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him
– had compassion
– ran and fell on his neck
– kissed him
– And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned
– “But the father said to his servants
– ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him
– put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
– bring the fatted calf here and kill it
– let us eat and be merry
– for this my son was dead and is alive again
– he was lost and is found.’
– And they began to be merry

What a heart and what compassion! How could the Father be so kind, gracious, merciful, loving, generous and forgiving? It is amazing to see the heart of God that comes up in this passage. What a wonderful God is He!!! Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!!!

May we always be in awe of God, leading us, to willingly trust and obey the LORD, no matter what. Even so the LORD help us.