While He Was Still Far Off
Draft, under review
Luke 15:11–24
11Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons.
12The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.
14After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.
15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
16He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.
17Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death!
18I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
20So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
21The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
Berean Standard Bible. Read the full chapter
Reflection
We usually read this story from the son's side, but Jesus begins it with a father who had two sons (Luke 15:11). Read it as that father.
His younger son asks for his share of the inheritance now. The father doesn't argue, doesn't lock the door, and doesn't follow him into the distant country. He divides the property and lets him go (Luke 15:12–13). If you are the parent of a prodigal, you may know that kind of letting go. It isn't indifference. It is love that cannot force love.
Jesus tells us nothing about the father's days while the son is away, and maybe that silence is true to life. Days of not knowing. Nights of praying. Every footstep on the road a question.
Then the father sees him while he is still a long way off (Luke 15:20). He was watching. He is filled with compassion, the word for being moved in your innermost being. He runs, throws his arms around his son, and kisses him before the son says a word. Then, before the rehearsed speech is even finished, he calls for the robe (Luke 15:20–22).
Jesus told this story to show God's heart toward the lost (Luke 15:1–2). It is not a guarantee that your child will come home on your timeline, and if your child has not come home, that is not proof that you failed. Your child's choices are their own (Ezek 18:20). But it does tell you who is watching the road with you. God does not forget His children (Isa 49:15), and His love for your child is greater than yours. Keep the porch light on, and keep praying.
Word study: verified (STEPBible)
splanchnizomai (Greek, Strong's G4697): to be moved with compassion from the gut (Luke 15:20). Luke surrounds it with action verbs: trecho (to run, G5143) and kataphileo (to kiss warmly, G2705), all while the son is makran (far off, G3112).
Cross-reference trail
- Isa 49:15: God will not forget.
- Luke 15:4: The Shepherd goes after the lost one.
- Hos 11:8: God's heart for a wayward child.
- 2 Pet 3:9: God is patient, wanting all to repent.
- Phil 1:6: He finishes what He begins.
Go deeper
- Question tree: Should I keep asking?, Should I keep asking?
- Question tree: How do I keep praying without losing heart?, Unanswered Prayer
- Pathway: A Prodigal Child,
content/pathways/prodigal-child.md
Prayer
Father, You see my child from far off; keep my love steady and my eyes on the road, and bring them home to You. Amen.