September 20

The Prodigal’s Return

So 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. — Luke 15:20 BSB

In the far country, the prodigal son had a vision of home. As he sat there in his misery, a picture of his father’s house flashed before him, stirring up a deep homesickness. He remembered the abundance of his home compared to the hunger and despair he was now experiencing.

This was a pivotal moment for the prodigal—a message from God, inviting him to return. When a child is taken from a loving home and grows up in a harsh, unfamiliar world, memories of that lost tenderness remain, like faint echoes from the past. Similarly, even those who have wandered far from God still carry within them a sense of the love they once knew. It may be a vague memory, but it lingers, reminding them of the innocence and love they’ve lost.

When the prodigal returned home, he found his vision was true. His father had been watching for him, waiting for his return. This is a picture of God’s loving welcome for every sinner who comes back to Him. Even our sweetest dreams of God’s love fall short of the reality. No matter how far we’ve strayed, God is always ready to run to meet us with open arms, ready to welcome us home.