1 Chronicles 24:1-25:31; Ezekiel 22:1-31; John 8:12-30
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
The astounding aspect of this parable which must have had a great impact on the listeners are the two words “and ran”. In those days respected fathers only ever walked deliberately and with dignity. It lacked decorum to be seen running and was never practiced. So, for the father to run was outside socially accepted behaviour but it revealed deep compassion for his son. Only here in Scripture do we see a picture of God being in a hurry. He is always eager to accept repentant sinners. Have we returned to the Father? —Paul Young
Father, never was love so near;
Tender, my deepest wounds to heal.
Precious to me, Your gift of love;
For me You gave Your only Son. —Graham Kendrick