v20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Upon just the beginning of his return the father bolts out of his door towards his son. A far way off, not within the fence but a far way off. He runs and embraced his son with loving kisses pouring out affectionate kisses on the one who had returned.
21And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'[c] 22But the father said to his servants,[d] 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
This is the attitude God has towards us. Upon the entering into the kingdom His primary goal is to in fact lavish us with His undying affection and set us as who we really are. To know that yes we are His children, and we are loved. His desire is constantly towards us and He has searched the depths of our hearts and minds and jubilantly has accepted us into the Beloved. He calls for the "Best Robe," a ring and shoes restoring dignity. Also He calls forth the fattened calf and celebration to boisterously expound upon the joy that somersaults in His heart at the very return of the son who had thrown away everything and forsook who He was. He is quick to redeem and does so promptly. All in the household rejoice with loud singing and triumphant jubilation because of this.
25"Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
The older son became swiftly indignant out in the field. Bitterness rose within a sense of fervent entitlement. With loathing breathes he sulked in misery about not getting his due. He was working for a reward. He was plowing away in the field. This was a large house and place with servants, those who do work. They were brought in so that the fammily would not need to embark on menial toil but flourish together in love, passing on a rich and very deep heritage which the father longed to lavish and pass on to the next generations as a true inheritance. The same goes with our heavenly Father.
We were all astray. We all came back but the thing is many of us have jumped ship into working into the field to earn some sort of reward and inheritance vying for the favor and affection of our heavenly Father hoping for a pat on the back for a few good deeds, a few days fasted, ect. ect. ect.... Yet upon our entering the kingdom His desire is to establish us truly as heirs. Freely we receive therefore we freely give. We earn nothing. We earn no inheritance. He calls us to cast our cares upon Him and embrace our identiy a beloved children of God who are deeply loved. He no longer calls us slaves, but sons, if sons then heirs (Galatians 4:6-7). We call out Abba Father and He responds. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He does not desire slaves but sons and daughters who are about His business.
This only comes about from coming to Him with nothing asking for embrace. We need to learn how to receive. How can we pour out that which we have not received or talk about that which we do not know? This is what you have been made for. He knows your pain, thoughts, fears, desires, and weaknesses along with all of your sin and His desire is for you to come in and be with Him. Working for recompense will lead to only emptiness, jadedness, pain, envy, insecurity, and bitterness. Be still and know He is God. You cannot enter into your full calling until you hear the words, "This is my beloved son (daughter), in whom I am well pleased!" God longs for friends not slaves. Children not butlers or maids. His desire is to love. From that and that alone comes forth the budding kingdom of God!
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