Topic: The Love Of God Reaches Out To You [Friday August 18, 2017]
“….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” Luke 15:20 (NKV)
The parable of the prodigal son is a very familiar story amongst believers and unbelievers alike. However, I want to draw your attention to some truths from this parable to further strengthen your belief in God’s unconditional, irreversible, and everlasting love for you. The prodigal son received his inheritance from his father and travelled to a distant land, where he squandered it on various activities. By his request and subsequent action, this young man displayed a rebellious nature of wanting to live independently of his father’s will. A position that many of us find ourselves in today, even as Christians.
Unfortunately for him, a famine hit the land after he was done wasting his resources and he found himself in the pigs’ pen where he had to eat the same meal the pigs were eating in order to survive. The Bible records that after he came to himself, he decided to return to his father, not as a son, but as a servant. Now, one would expect that after all that had transpired, the relationship between the prodigal son and his father had been totally severed, but then let’s see what happened.
While the prodigal son was still a great way off, his father sighted him and ran to receive him. What does that tell you? The father had been expecting the return of his son and was always on the lookout for him. Hence he was able to recognise him from a great distance. Put on your imagination. This young man must have been battered, having suffered from the famine, coupled with the stress of the journey he had undertaken to get home. He must have lost so much weight and be malnourished having been feeding on the food fit only for pigs. Yet, in that deplorable state, the father was able to recognise him. He reached out to him embraced him and kissed him. What a display love! Such is the love of God towards you!
Further Reading: Luke 15:11-24
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 100-102; Evening- 1 Corinthians 1
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
