My son thought he was old enough to bike around the block alone. I was nervous, but I knew he needed freedom to learn to make good decisions. For much of the ride, he was out of sight. I watched him disappear at the end of our street, ran to the backyard to catch a brief glimpse of him, and then darted to the mailbox to scan the sidewalk in the distance. My eyes were trained on the very place he ought to appear.


Jesus teaches us in this parable that God is not a disinterested father who turns around and is surprised when we return to Him. “Oh, you’re back?” No, He is the parent who gives us the freedom to leave, watches us disappear, runs to the backyard for a glimpse, and then stands on the front step scanning the horizon for the moment we appear on the way home. While we were still a long way off, the Father saw us. Not by chance, but because He was eagerly looking for us in the very place He knew we would appear.


While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He loves us that much!