(Luke. 15:22.)
ALL hung on that. What would his father say? It was of comparatively little importance what the son said, or for what place he would ask. Very right that he should confess his sin; for “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” Confession is the evidence of repentance. (See also Prov. 28:1313He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13))
But the son could not finish what he had intended to say. How could he? For his father had seen him when he was yet a great way off; had had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck and kissed him. Was that the way servants were hired? No, he must let his father have his own way, and give in accordance with the dictates of his own heart “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him,” &c.
And what is all this intended to represent? The way that God receives sinners.
The Pharisees and scribes had murmured against the blessed Lord, saying, “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.” And so the Son of God’s bosom, the declarer of the Father, draws this picture to show, not only that God receives sinners, but the way in which He does it. For grace asks for nothing and gives all, and the best of everything too.
Dear reader, do you believe that God is thus waiting to receive sinners, and to bless them? that He has everything in readiness for them; even the calf fatted for the feast; joys ready prepared?
On the rugged Yorkshire coast stood a little cottage, inhabited by a poor widow. Her only child, a son, the hope of her old age for comfort and support, had forsaken her years ago. In his hardheartedness he had followed his own will, and run away to sea. But that mother’s heart never gave him up. Many a prayer had gone up from her lonely bed, on windy nights, as she lay awake, and listened for his hand upon the latch; for she never locked her door, but left it on the latch, “for,” said she, “he may come back some night, and I would not have him find my door closed against him. And if he only comes back to die, I’ll gladly nurse him.”
One night she heard a hand upon the latch, and a footstep on the floor below. “Charlie, is that you?” she said. “Yes, mother, I’ve come home to die. Will you have me?” “Yes, Charlie, and welcome.”
That mother’s love is but a faint reflection of God’s yearning over sinners. Will you prove it, dear reader?
“Everlasting glory
Unto Jesus be,
Sing aloud the story
Of His victory.
How he left the splendor
Of His home on high,
Came in love so tender,
On the cross to die.
Yes! He came from heaven!
Suffered in our stead,
Praise to Him be given,
First-born from the dead.
Jesus, meek and lowly,
Came the lost to save;
He, the victim Holy,
Triumphed o’er the grave.
Christ the Lord is risen,
Sing we now today!
Freed are we from prison,
Christ our debt did pay.
Sing aloud, and never
Cease to spread His fame,
Triumph, triumph ever
In the Saviour’s name!”
W. G. B.