Two men left home; Both took a downward path and both went to a "far country." But here the similarities end abruptly. For One Man is the "Prince of life" — the blessed Son of God; the other is a rebellious young prodigal.

Consider some of the striking contrasts between them.

THE DEPARTURE

• The prodigal left in rebellion

• The Prince in obedience.

• The prodigal said "give me"

• The Prince said, "send Me."

• The prodigal made himself rich.

• The Prince made Himself poor.

• The prodigal wasted all his goods.

• The Prince keeps all those whom the Father has given Him.

• The prodigal began to be in want.

• The Prince said "I have meat to eat that ye know not of."

THE RETURN

• The prodigal said, " I am no more worthy to be called thy son."

• The Prince said, " Father, glorify thy Son."

• The prodigal said, " I have sinned "

• The Prince said, " I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."

• The prodigal sank to moral depths.

• The Prince, through grace, went even lower to lift him up.

THE CONCLUSION

Through His obedience unto death, the Prince of life, our Lord Jesus laid the basis on which the Father could receive the prodigal. The Holy Spirit worked in his heart, causing him to repent and turn his feet homeward. Finally, the Father’s entire being expressed itself in welcoming him:

• He saw (the eyes);

• He had compassion (the heart);

• He ran (the feet);

• He fell on his neck (the hands),

• He kissed Him (the mouth).

Does this not fill the heart of every "returned prodigal with rejoicing?

What about you my friend? You have ran away from God. There is no rejoicing in the " far country ", the world.

Repent of your sins and return . The Father waits to welcome you.

Richard Barnett