He Ran to Him.. and Was Filled with Compassion!

This is a portrait painted by, my favorite artist, Senor Rembrandt Van Rijn also known as just " Rembrandt." This painting is called " The Prodigal Son " some say that Rembrandt secretly disguises himself as the son kneeling at his fathers feet. This story is my favorite parable that Jesus shared. This is my story, your story, our story and maybe soon enough you will recognize it. This young man was so mesmerized with the unattainable things of this earth that he could no longer wait so, he asked his father to give him his inheritance early. But if you read into it what the son was indirectly,but directly, saying was " I hope you could just take your last breathe, because I would really like my inheritance.. thank you." So the father without a fight,and considerably a broken heart, gives his son the inheritance and on his way the the son went. The story later on says that the son went on into a far away country and there wasted all his money on riotous living. In other words partied it up all day everyday day till he ran out of all his worth, like sand through an hour glass. Just as fast as his money disappeared his "friends" did as well. Just as time had it a great famine spread throughout the whole country and this young man was in need. So he went out to find a job and the only thing he could come across was hiring himself out to a farmer who sent him to the fields to feed and practically live among pigs. Now what we didn't know is that in the Jewish belief the pig is considered unclean and considered a sin if ate. He not only lived amongst the pigs but ate with them, this is as disgraceful and low as a jewish young man could be. Finally the young boy came to his sense and decided that he would set out and go back to his father. On his walk there he prepared a speech that would hopefully win his father back and it went a little something like this " Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men."

So I am going to set up the scene here for you upon the sons arrival. The Bible does not say how long the son was gone for, it could have been five, ten, or thirty years. So the father is on his front porch just swaying back and forth on his rocking chair when we slightly sees his son. Scripture tells us that " while the son was a long way off his father saw him and was filled with compassion! he RAN to his son and threw his arms around him and kissed him. PAUSE to see an old Jewish man just pick up his robe and run towards his disgraceful son is a big no no in the Jewish belief. There is a huge sense of respect for a father; to which a father does not respond to emotion but rather, as we like to say, "acts calm" at all times, but this father humbled himself before his son, his servants, and his wife. Play .." Then son obviously gave his prepared speech, when the father interrupted him and said to his servants " Go and get the best clothes, best shoes and we will have a feast! For this son of mine was dead and now alive again; he was lost and is now found!" Some say this is a story about the lost son, but I think it's a the story about a loving father displaying his furious love. Sound familiar yet?

Live out Loud

Gio Marcela