The Father's embrace

I've been pondering on the embrace of the Father in the story of the prodigal son. First he runs to his son - imagine him, hitching up his garments, making a spectacle of himself, and pounding down the road... because he wants to get to him before others can taunt him, or abuse him or beat him up. This son has so dishonoured his father that the locals could attack him! So he runs.... and when he gets to him he flings his arms around him and kisses him over and over, tenderly, earnestly, repeatedly! This skinny, smelly, awkward and shame-filled young man is smothered in his father's love! What a welcome. What a sight for the villagers, who know the sorry saga. What a Father! What a picture of our Abba, Daddy.

It is a custom of mine now and then to ask people I don't know well to tell me how they came to faith in Jesus. Many of them describe how they came to "make a commitment", but then never tell me what GOD did! It is quite frustrating - and revealing, actually. I would think that if they had met the running Father and been swept up in his effusive embrace (or felt "the love of God being poured into their hearts through the Holy Spirit" - Rom.5:5) they would be hard put not to tell me!!! Have we sold people short, by telling them they had to 'make a commitment'? Shouldn't we rather tell them about this running, embracing, enthusiastic, merciful, forgiving Father who is searching for them daily with an aching heart?

I notice too that the Father interrupts the son's repentance speech and says to his servants, "Quick, get the best robe..." Quick? I had never seen that word before. Quick! Without hesitation - move fast! Why? Why not a leisurely stroll home? I think because he wants his son to be 'covered'. He wants all to see he is now 'honoured' and accepted. We interpret this as 'the robe of righteousness' that we are clothed in when we repent and turn to Christ. "Quick!" says the Father, "get the robe and cover him." This knowledge of being made right, made clean and new, having all our sins covered over can be that quick! Done in an instant! "Quick!" says the Father. I think he means it for us. Let's expect it, when we bring others to him.

Praying to hear Abba's pounding feet again for those I love...