A GRACIOUS FATHER

“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 the father had never lost interest in his wayward son. He must have been on the lookout for him. And now... he sees him in the distance. What does this father do? Note his four actions: he sympathizes, runs, embraces, and kisses his son.

He sympathizes - As the distance between father and son grew less and less, the father sees more clearly how tired and wretched his son looked. His heart went out to him and he “had compassion” on him; he had sympathy for him. How intensely this father loved his son.

He runs – This father was not young anymore; yet, he runs. In that part of the world it was generally not considered dignified for an elderly man to run; yet, he runs. Nothing can keep him from doing so.

He fell on his neck - In spite of the fact that his son was filthy, smelly, and dressed in dirty rags, this father welcomed him with open arms! This was the father’s love for his wayward son. This means that the father has already in his heart granted forgiveness to his son.

He kissed him - The word carries the idea of kissing again and again, tenderly, fervently. Basically, the father smothered his son with kisses. This was a sign of affection and reconciliation, and about the willingness of his father to forgive and receive him.

(Adapted from Analytical Biblical Expositor)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“God is the archetypal Father; all other fatherhood is a more or less imperfect copy of His perfect fatherhood!”

Frederick Fyvie (F.F.) Bruce (1910 – 1990)

Scottish Biblical Scholar

Word Study

Compassion

In Luke 15:20 we read, “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!” (NKJV).

Compassion is the Greek word splanchnízomai (σπλαγχνίζομαι = splangkh-nid'-zom-ahee). It means to experience a deep feeling for someone, to feel sympathy, to take pity on someone. In classical Greek, the splanchna are the internal organs. The “inner parts” were regarded by the ancient Greeks as the site of emotions. In the Septuagint splanchnízomai carries the idea of mercy and pity. In the New Testament, splanchnízomai also carries the idea of mercy and pity. Splanchnízomai speaks of the compassionate character of our God, who in Christ, is moved with compassion and pity to act on behalf of a lost and dying world. At the heart of this compassion is His great love for all mankind (John 3:16).

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.” (Gen. 46:3 KJV).

Did You Know…

Job was involved with his children socially and prayed for them spiritually (Job 1:4-5).

Bible Quiz

I am called Rufus and I am proud to say that my dad helped Jesus carry His cross to Calvary. Do you know the name of my privileged father?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: Whose name in Scripture means “father of many nations?” Abraham (Gen 17:5).

Names For God Found in the Bible

“Hiding Place”

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7 NKJV).

1. Meaning – Hiding Place speaks of a place for the protection of a person. God is our place of protection.

2. Insights – In context, the Lord had sent the prophet Nathan to confront David about his sins (2 Samuel 12). David offered no excuses; he admitted that he had sinned and was guilty before God. Guilt is to the conscience what pain is to the body: it tells us that something is wrong and must be made right. Confession of sin brings harmony to the troubled soul. Songs of deliverance surround the forgiven person. Melody replaces misery. David exchanged hiding his sins for a hiding place in the Lord.

Did You Know...Christian History

William James Kirkpatrick was born February 27, 1838 in County Tyrone, Ireland. He was an Irish-born American hymn composer and publisher.

At an early age, Kirkpatrick came with his parents to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania. His father was a musician, hence his natural love and talent for music. Kirkpatrick learned to play musical instruments at an early age and received formal training. He published his first hymn collection at age 21. And although he produced around fifty books of music in his life, Kirkpatrick often found it necessary to support himself with carpentry or furniture making, while devoting every spare moment to music, playing for churches and writing hymn tunes.

He was for years, director of music in Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, and organist and choirmaster many years at the Ebenezer Church of the same city. He studied voice, theory, and harmony under prominent teachers. This along with a practical experience in church and Sunday school work, constituted rare resources for his life work. In connection with his composition he devoted much time to the conducting of music in conventions and camp meetings. Even his service with the Union army during the Civil War, Kirkpatrick was as a musician.

He wrote both the words and the music to the song “Lord, I’m Coming Home.” As the story goes, Kirkpatrick was song-leader at a camp meeting. The hired soloist had a magnificent voice, able to put expression into the music he sang. However, Kirkpatrick noticed that the young man never stayed to hear the sermon. Afraid that the soloist was not a Christian, Kirkpatrick knelt in his tent and prayed long and earnestly for his soul. The words to “Coming Home” formed in his mind. He wrote them down and set them to a haunting tune.

That evening, Kirkpatrick handed the newly-written words and tune to the soloist. Visibly moved after he had sung them, the man stayed for the sermon, went to the altar that night and gave his heart to Christ. The song became a popular invitation hymn in evangelical services, winning many others beside the man it was written for.

On September 20, 1921, Sara Kirkpatrick awakened and noticed that the light in her husband’s study was still on. She called to him and he did not answer. Going over, she found 83 year old William J. Kirkpatrick slumped over, dead. As usual, he had been working on a piece of music. Among the hymns that have made his name known in every part of the world are: “Wait, and Murmur Not,” “Jesus Saves,” “Blessed Be the Name,” “I’m Coming Home,” “He Hideth My Soul,” “’Tis So Sweet” and “When Love Shines In,” “We Have Heard the Joyful Sound,” and “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It.”

A Little Humor

A little child in church for the first time watched as the ushers passed the offering plates. When they neared the pew where he sat, the youngster piped up so that everyone could hear: “Don’t pay for me Daddy, I’m under five.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Forgiveness means God buries our sins and does not mark the grave!”