The Path

The Path

Reading the Word

“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. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began” (Luke 15:20–24).

Setting the Scene

For the father to see his son “still a long way off,” he must have been looking every day, hoping one day to see the boy returning. The same path that the son had traveled away from home, he now uses to return. And on that same path the Father runs, “filled with love and compassion” (v. 20). Typically in the first century a father would wait until a son showed some sign of respect before addressing him. In Jesus’ story, the father throws all social conventions aside and runs, opens his arms, and pulls his son tightly to himself. Then, thrilled in this joyous reunion, the Father interrupts his son’s prepared statement to proclaim a celebration.

In the two preceding stories, the seekers actively looked for the sheep and the coin, neither of which could return on their own. In this story, the father watches and waits. He is dealing with a human being with a will but is ready to greet his son if he returns.

Getting Personal

This father’s love and compassion picture the love God has always shown to his wayward people. “The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13). And he always welcomes his children home.

God gives opportunities to respond, but he doesn’t force his children to come to him. Like the father in this story, God waits patiently for them to come to their senses. He wants to welcome sinners back home with open arms. What compassion! What love! What grace!

• In what ways have you experienced your heavenly Father’s loving embrace?
• How has God’s love for you put you on track again and kept you there?

Talking to God

Dear Father, your patience with me and love for me is overwhelming. Thank you for not giving up or turning away from me when I turn away from you. I want to stay close and never seek the “distant land” again.

Adapted from Life Application Study Bible Devotional by Dave Veerman and Neil Wilson (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2011), used by permission.