(Continuing in Luke's Gospel ...)
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
(verse 20)
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The image of this middle-aged, Middle Eastern man – robes hoisted up and tucked in, dust flying – moves me. He does what no dignified, self-respecting father of the time would – he runs. And he does it to fully embrace the son who has broken relationship, wishing him dead (“Give me my inheritance now!”), the one who put as much distance as he possibly could between himself and the father who loves him, still. Oh, and what an embrace! The son – tattered, soiled, aroma of pig and muck still clinging – is enveloped in a bear-hug unhindered by any reticence, the father’s kisses speaking his full acceptance, unbroken love, and overflowing joy.
Luke, in reporting Jesus’ story, uses one of my favourite Greek verbs. Splachnizomai. The root word is splachna, meaning “bowels.”The verb means to be moved in the core of your being, right down in your gut. The English translations say the father was filled with “compassion,” but we need to understand that it’s a gut-wrenching variety, rising up from the very depths.
This, Jesus says, is the Father’s response to us. To me.
I put myself in the story, trudging down that road, tainted in body and soul, covered with pig-muck, condemnation weighing heavy, remorse crushing down. I draw closer to home but feel further estranged. Yet the Father comes. My eyes, downcast, anchored to the ground, don’t anticipate it, but then, there he is. Arms gather me up in a love that doesn’t hold back, his acceptance all-embracing. My protests are turned aside, the words of self-accusation falling on deaf ears, for the Father has received me home. Just as I am. My eyes lift. There’s the robe – the best in the house – stretched out for me to be richly attired. There’s the fattened calf roasting on the spit, the feast and celebration made ready, home opened wide, my place secured. The Father’s smiling eyes are focused on mine.
This is the story of salvation. Really, truly. Forgiveness is so completely given, there is no longer any estrangement – none whatsoever. Condemnation is turned aside, and we are welcomed by the Father. Freshly, cleanly clothed. Celebrated. Embraced. Home.
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Father, thank you, thank you, thank you. In Jesus I am washed clean (all the pig-slop gone!), forgiven, reconciled, estrangement eliminated, welcomed home. I enter the celebration with joy. You have embraced me. Praise your name!
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Reflect:
Take time right now to simply sit in the Father’s presence, accepting his love. Receive his embrace. Give thanks.
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Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
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