“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 his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20
Yesterday, I talked about how the older brother resembles the average Christian, in how they lack care when a wayward Christian returns home. Today, I want to look at the father and just point out a few things about how he reacted to his son coming home.
The first thing I see is the father WATCHING for his son. He saw his son while he was a great way off, which means that he was watching. The father wanted to be the first one there when his son came home. We as Christians, should be watching for that wayward Christian to walk through the doors of our church so that we can be the first ones to greet them!
The next thing I see from the father is he WELCOMED his son home. The Bible says he ran to him and fell on his neck! The father welcomed his son home, we don’t only see it here in his actions but also through the celebration that he threw. Hey Christian, welcome that brother or sister back to church with open arms and a loving heart! That is what they need the most! Don’t just sit there in your pew watching them come back and than be like the older brother and criticize but welcome them back and encourage them!
The last thing that I want to point out about the father is that he WAITED. When his son left, he didn’t go after him and get him and bring him back. I am sure the father prayed everyday that his son would return home. The father longed for the day that his son would return home. The point I want to make about waiting is that if the father would have went after him, what if the father got caught up in riotous living? He would have wasted his life and all the good that he done would have been for naught. We as Christians need to wait or stay at home in the Christian life. If we go chasing after someone who left, even with good intentions, we could get bogged down and ensnared while we are away from home. We need to wait and pray earnestly for those who leave, but make sure that we stay faithful to the Word of God and what we are commanded to do!
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Counted Faithful 
Just a little thought i wrote awhile back, fitting to what you pointed out in this blog….
Keep it up Caleb!
The Prodigal sons father:
When we read Luke 15:11-32, we always hear about the Prodigal son, but what about the Prodigal sons father?… As Christian parents we try and raise our children the best way we can (after all, they didn’t come with manuals), we teach them the Bible, we pray with and for them, we teach them what’s right/wrong, what’s good/bad; but there comes that “dreaded day” (usually when they are 17-18) and they tell you they want to start making their own decisions. Now mind you, this WILL be for the rest of their life! Prepare yourself for the fact, they probably are not going to want guidance and help in and with the decisions they make from day to day. This brings me to the Prodigal father; he put Scripture to practice when dealing with his son.
1. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
2. Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of The Lord.
No doubt The Prodigal sons fathers heart was broken, yet didn’t resist his sons desire to strike out on his own, and to allow him his inheritance. He probably didn’t agree with his sons decision, but was willing to “let go and let God”, guide and direct the son. The father no doubt practiced the scriptures (above) and took comfort in knowing he had done his best in rearing his son(s), and would hold God to His promise(s)! After the Prodigal son had squandered all, and found himself in dire straits, he came to his senses, and knew that home with his father was where he needed to be. God fulfilled His promise! The Prodigal son went home, repentant and asking forgiveness, and the father was there waiting with open arms, ready to restore their relationship!
As parents, our hearts too, will get broken from time to time, yet we need to take comfort in the fact that we have done our part; followed and trained our children the best we could according to scripture…. They WILL return! And God WILL get the victory!
And we can ” begin to be marry”, and restore our relationship with them.
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