S – And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹

Luke 15:20–21 CSB

O – Commentary:

It was a breach of an elderly Jewish man’s dignity to run, though familial love could take priority over dignity after a long absence (cf. Tobit 11:9—mother and son). Given the normal garb, the father would have to pull up his skirt to run. Kissing was a conventional greeting for family members or intimate friends; normally it consisted of a light kiss on the lips (easily distinguishable from lovers’ passionate kisses).

 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014), 221–222.

A – While he was “a long way off,” his father saw him, felt “a deep, visceral sense of sympathy” and it caused him to run toward him.  All of this is counterintuitive to our human nature.  Yet, it is the perfect analogy of God’s love for us.  He loved us while we were sinners, felt compassion to meet our disobedience and self reliance and he moved from heaven to earth to meet us in our sin.  He had every right and dignity to not move…but he did.

R – Heavenly Father, you are mercy, grace and truth.  Thank you for loving us so much that you moved toward us in our sin.  Thank you for your mercy and grace that forgives us of all things.  We invite your Holy Spirit to work in us today to grow us into your character and love.