The True Love of a Dad

And He said, "A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' And he divided his wealth between them. (Luke 15:12)

According to Jewish custom at the time, a father's wealth would not be divided until he had died. When the younger son came to his father and demanded his share of the estate, he was saying, in essence, "Father, you are dead to me. I don't want to ever see you again." The normal reaction at the time (and probably still true) would be to kick out the son without any part of the inheritance. However, God, in His love, allows His children the free will to make bad choices.

"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. (Luke 15:13)
"Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be in need. (Luke 15:14)

The younger son showed total disregard for his father's lifestyle, so much so that he had to go outside of Israel to find the kind of sensuous, sinful living that he wanted to experience. He had soon spent everything and was confronted with a famine.

"And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (Luke 15:15)
"And he was longing to fill his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. (Luke 15:16)

The younger son seized upon a common custom of the time that required hospitality from the wealthy to strangers. However, the wealthy man, realizing the younger son was a Jew, thought he could get rid of the young man by requiring him to feed pigs. Of course, pigs are unclean animals to Jews (both then and now), so that no respectful Jew would ever accept such a job. However, in his desperation, the younger son accepted the job.

"But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! (Luke 15:17)
'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; (Luke 15:18)
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."' (Luke 15:19)

The younger son soon realized that even his father's hired men had more food than he. So he made a plan to go to his father, repent of what he had done, and sign on as a hired hand, since he was certain that he could not be accepted back again as a son, because of all the evil things he had done.

"And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)
"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' (Luke 15:21)
"But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; (Luke 15:22)
and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; (Luke 15:23)
for this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:24)

So the younger son walked back to his father. However, when he was still far away, his father saw him. It wasn't by chance that this occurred. The father had been waiting and praying for his son every day since he had left, from a place where he might see him approaching. The events that followed are much more extraordinary than they might seem to us today, and require a brief explanation of the way things were at the time. In the first century A.D. estates were organized in a circle, so that several estates would have a common entrance. As such, all of the father's neighbors would have seen the younger son leave with a large portion of his father's wealth. This, in itself, would be humiliating. However, when the son returned, he would, likewise, pass by the other estates on his way to his father's estate. His father would experience scorn from his neighbors by running to meet his son. In addition, since men wore robes, he would have to lift his robe up and hold it up while he ran - something no respectful Jewish father would ever do.
The son began his plan of repenting of what he had done, and to request to sign on as a hired hand. But, he didn't even get to the second part of his plan. The father immediately accepted him back as his son, not even mentioning his parting insult of saying he was dead, and squandering of his estate.
The story illustrates that God is ecstatic whenever a sinner repents and turns to Him. Even if you once hated God, rejected His laws, and squandered all the blessings He had given you, He wants to hug you and accept you as a son or daughter. If you repent and turn to Him, He will forgive all your sins and shower you with His greatest blessings. If you have never had a relationship with God, go for the hug! - accept Jesus as Lord and Savior today.