A FATHER’S COMPASSION
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20 NKJV).
It is clear that this father had never lost interest in his wayward son. Again and again he must have been on the lookout for him. And now... he sees him in the distance. What does the father do? Thus, we want to note each of his four actions: had compassion, run, embraces, and kisses. Such marvelous love!
The looking in the compassion – “His father saw him.” Compassion caused the father to keep looking for his son’s return. He stayed alert for his arrival. If you have run away from the Lord, He is looking for your return, too. He desires that you come back to Him. He does not force Himself upon us, but gives us opportunities to return to Him again.
The running in the compassion – “Run.” The father did not wait for the son to get home but ran to meet him. In that part of the world, it was generally not considered dignified for an elderly man to run; yet this father runs. He was willing to be humiliated for his son. The Lord Jesus was willing to be humiliated on the cross to save us from our sins. Spurned by this world, He willingly laid down His life so that we might be accepted. God is always quick to forgive and in a hurry to save (cf. Isa. 65:24).
The embracing in the compassion – “Fell on his neck.” The prodigal would not be attractive outwardly and doubtless smelled of pigs’ manure. Nevertheless, the father still embraced him. This tells us that Lord’s compassion for sinners is not based on our attractiveness but on His heart of compassion.
The kissing in the compassion – “Kissed him.” The Greek meaning of the word translated ‘kissed” means the father kissed the prodigal repeatedly. He kisses him again and again, tenderly, fervently. Kissing was an act of forgiveness or acquittal. It was a pledge of reconciliation and peace. What a wonderful reunion. The Lord Jesus will embrace us too, if we will turn form our sins and put our faith and trust in Him.
(Adapted from Butler’s Analytical Expositor - Luke)
Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)
Quotation of the Week
“The all-seeing eye of God beheld our deplorable state; infinite pity touched the heart of the Father of mercies; and infinite wisdom laid the plan of our recovery!”
David Brainerd (1718 – 1747)
American Presbyterian Minister and Missionary
Word Study
Exploit
In 2 Peter 2:3 we read, “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber" (NKJV).
“Exploit” is the Greek word emporeúomai (ἐμπορεύομαι = em-por-yoo'-om-ahee). It is made up of two words: “en” which means in, and “poreúomai” which means to go, to trade. Thus, the word means to do business or to trade, involving either buying and or selling. Literally, the word means to go in, then to travel about and so to travel about as a merchant or trader on a large scale. In Classical Greek, emporeúomai was used in the sense of both of travel and of traveling for business reasons. In the Septuagint, the word was also used for traveling and trading. In the New Testament, emporeúomai retains the common secular meaning of engaging in trade. Here in 2 Peter 2:3 it is used figuratively to convey the idea of exploitation. It pictures the deceiving of others for one’s own advantage.
“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible
“Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me” (Matt. 28:10 KJV).
Did You Know…
In New Testament times, the name “Father” was also used as a title of respect for leaders in the Faith (1 Cor. 4:15; 1 John 2:14).
Bible Quiz
My sons had a tendency to be hot-headed and earned themselves the nickname “Sons of Thunder.” What is my name?
**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: According to the Book of Matthew, where was the last place Satan took the Lord Jesus in order to tempt Him? A high mountain (Matt. 4:8).
Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible
“ROCK”
"And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4 NKJV).
1. Meaning – ROCK speaks of the Lord Jesus as the as the One who accompanied the Israelites on their journey and provided for all their needs.
2. Insights – The “Rock” typology speaks of the pre-existence of the Lord Jesus Christ; He existed before coming to the earth. It proves the Deity of the Lord Jesus. It also means that the Lord Jesus Christ is Jehovah of the Old Testament, the One who is called the “Rock” (cf. Deut. 32:4; 2 Sam. 22:2; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 18:30-31; Psalm 92:15). Thus, the Israelites experienced the presence of God with them. He was the source of the spiritual drink that they enjoyed in the desert (Ex. 17:6). This representation of the Lord Jesus is an illustration of our continued and constant dependence on Him for the daily supply of our needs. He was present in the wilderness as He is present in the church today.
Did You Know – Christian History
John Wanamaker was born on July 11, 1838 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was an American merchant and religious, civic and political figure, considered by some to be a proponent of advertising and a marketing pioneer.
All of his life, Wanamaker did something - not only toward converting people but in making American business what it became. A Presbyterian, he was a strong advocate of the YMCA in the years when its chief concern was to convert men to Christ. He was so successful in promoting the organization that its backers named him national secretary. But Wanamaker married and had to find work that would support his family.
Unable to join the U.S. Army to fight in the American Civil War, Wanamaker instead started a career in business. He and a partner bought a men’s clothing business. With a flair for big projects, Wanamaker bought an abandoned rail depot and tried to coax other merchants to open shops in the building. When he couldn’t persuade others to take the risk, he set up his own shops, creating one of the first successful department stores in the nation. His building even had a wireless telegraph, and consequently was the first station in the United States to learn of the sinking of the Titanic. Wanamaker was a leader in advertising, in money-back guarantees and in offering his employees benefits such as pensions, life insurance, and vacations. His New York store was the first to display electric Christmas lights.
Through it all, Wanamaker’s concern for souls continued. He was a strong supporter of the United States Civil Commission, an agency which brought medical and spiritual comfort to soldiers. He gave enormous sums to charities, and devoted Sundays to religious work. “If you once have the joy and sweet pleasure of bringing one soul to Christ, you will be hungry to get another,” he said. Wanamaker died in his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 12, 1922. He is known as the father of modern advertising. His stores continue in operation today under the ownership of Woodward and Lothrop. His contributions to the founding of the modern department store, and new innovations with the U.S. Postal System will never be forgotten.
A Little Humor
On the day Kirsten received her learner’s permit, her father agreed to take her out for a driving lesson. With a big grin, he hopped in behind the driver’s seat. “Why aren’t you sitting up front on the passenger’s side?” she asked. “Kirsten, I’ve been waiting for this ever since you were a little girl,” Dad replied. “Now it’s my turn to sit back here and kick the seat.”
Thought Provoking Church Sign
“You can’t claim God as your Father until you claim Christ as your Savior!”
