While He Was Still A Long Way Off

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

I reread the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, which prompted some thoughts about the reaction of the father to his son.

What struck me most in this reading was the short phrase, “And while he was still a long way off...” The father did not wait for the son to come to him. Instead, he ran to greet his wayward son. 

My first observation is, we, the Church and individual Christ followers, cannot sit back and wait for people to come to hear the message or be welcomed. We must be proactive and run to meet those who most desperately need to be restored. When we do this, we are emulating the father that Jesus described to us in His parable.

The second observation is that when the father met up with his son, he didn’t express condemnation or criticism, although the lad certainly deserved it! He was just happy to have the relationship restored. As a matter of biblical fact, the only emotion expressed by the father was rejoicing. His lost son had returned! Why is it that so many who are outside of the church feel condemned by the church? If anyone should be the most welcoming and joyful for restored fellowship, it is Christ followers – The Church. Were we to be like the father in this parable, we would be a reflection of our Christ, who left His glorious home in heaven to come and rescue us! 

And he arose and came to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20