Jesus tells the story of a young man who took his portion of his father’s inheritance and squandered it in riotous living. He ended up broke, ruined in health and spirit, and at his lowest point he decided to return to his father’s home. Scripture says, “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).
Nothing hindered this father’s forgiveness of the young man; the son had to do nothing because his father had already made provision for reconciliation. He ran to his son and embraced him as soon as he saw the boy coming up the road. The truth is, forgiveness is never a problem for any loving father. Likewise, it is never a problem with our heavenly Father when he sees a repentant child. But inherent in this father’s embrace was his yearning for his son to be restored. He wanted his child’s company, his presence, communion with him.
“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us … let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:19-20, 22).
Believers are well aware of the human side of Christ’s work at Calvary — forgiveness of our sins, the power of victory over all bondages and, of course, the promise of eternal life. Yet there is another benefit of the cross and this one is to the benefit of the Father. It is the delight that comes to him whenever he receives a prodigal child into his house.
Beloved, the real issue at the heart of this parable of the prodigal has less to do with the coming home of the son and more to do with the happiness of the father at his return. And so it is with our loving heavenly Father. His heart is in full delight when we boldly enter into his presence for fellowship with him.