Looking Down the Road

And he arose, and came to his father.  But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on is neck, and kissed him.

Luke 15:20

Christ brings to light another characteristic of the Father’s love when he speaks of the father’s response to his son’s return.  Our consideration today lies in the words, ‘But when he was a great way off, his father saw him.’  The young man, whom the father had loved enough to let go, had gone off to the far country with his inheritance in hand and, ‘there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.  When he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in the land and he began to be in want.’  The youth, reduced to the point where he was feeding pigs, and willing to eat what they ate, decided to return to his father’s house and beg to become a servant.  What is interesting for us to behold is that the father knew the figure of his son ‘when he was still a great way off.’  We can imagine how often the father had gone to the front of his home and shaded his eyes to see if he could discern the figure of his returning son.  This shows us the love of God the Father as Christ describes it.  The All-seeing God looks, as it were, down the road in anticipation of the return of those whom He loves.  He knows the day is coming when our disheveled, shambling figure will appear on the horizon.  Until then, He looks down the road.

Our Kind and Gracious Father,
we rejoice that You anticipate our return to Your House.
We praise You that in Your sovereignty,
You wait until the day comes for us to come home.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning