I will reach you first!

Title: When the Father Ran Primary Text: Luke 15:11–32

[Opening – Pastoral Commentary]

Thank you for being here. Today, we are diving into a story many of us know—the parable of the prodigal son. But today, we’re focusing on a different character: the father. More specifically, the running father.

In first-century Jewish culture, dignified men never ran. To do so, a man had to lift his robe, exposing his legs—an act considered disgraceful and undignified. In 2 Samuel 6:20, we read that “Michal… said, ‘How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!’” Even King David was mocked for his exposed dancing. So when the father in Luke 15 runs, it's a scandal—but also a profound revelation of God’s love.

Scene: The Prodigal’s Return

[Pastoral Commentary – Luke 15:12–19]

The younger son says to his father, in Luke 15:12: “Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.” According to Jewish inheritance law in Numbers 27:8–11, inheritance—nachalah—was given after a father’s death, not before. So the son’s request was essentially saying, “I wish you were dead.”

Luke 15:13 tells us, “Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.” By verse 15, he ends up feeding pigs—an unclean animal, as Leviticus 11:7 states: “And the pig, because it parts the hoof but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.”

In verse 17, “he came to himself” and realized even his father’s servants lived better than he did. So he prepares his confession: Luke 15:18–19 – “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”

What he knows is this: if he returns, the village may enact a ceremony called kezazah—a public shaming ritual where a clay pot is broken at the returning son’s feet, symbolizing being “cut off” from Israel. This echoes Psalm 88:5: “Like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom you remember no more.”

And the father? He knows all of this.

[Dramatic Reenactment – The Father’s Perspective]

“You know the Torah, my friend. The law is clear: inheritance is given after death. Numbers 27:8 says, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter…’—but only after death. My son asked for his share early. He was declaring me dead.

And I gave it.

He sold our land—land promised to Abraham in Genesis 17:8: ‘And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings… for an everlasting possession.’ He sold it off like it meant nothing.

The elders whispered. They said I had lost control. Yoram said I had dishonored my beard. They referenced 2 Samuel 10:4–5, where envoys were shamed by cutting their beards. I knew their judgment.

Still, I waited. Luke 15:20 says, ‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him…’ I was watching. Not because I was sure he’d return—but because I knew if he did, they would reach him first.

They would smash the pot. They would declare him cut off. Leviticus 20:6 warns: ‘I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.’

So I will run.

Yes, run! I will shame myself. Isaiah 20:4 tells us, ‘So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives… barefoot with buttocks uncovered.’ But I will do it—for him.

I will robe him before they can reject him. I will kiss him before they can curse him. I will bear his shame… before it ever touches him.”

[Pastoral Commentary – Luke 15:20–24]

Listen to what happens: Luke 15:20 – “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

No trial. No shame. Just mercy.

Verse 22: “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.’ Verse 23: ‘And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.’

The robe covers his filth. The ring restores his name. The shoes mark him as free. And the feast tells the village—he is no longer cursed. He is celebrated.

Scene: The Corner is Crested

[Pastoral Commentary – Luke 15:21]

The son begins his speech: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

But the father doesn’t even respond to that. He’s too busy restoring.

[Dramatic Reenactment – The Father Sees His Son]

“There! That’s him!

My boy—my son!

Luke 15:22—‘Bring quickly the best robe… the ring… the shoes!’ Verse 23—‘Kill the fattened calf!’ We will celebrate tonight.

Boaz, run! Tell the household—my son is home!”

[softly] “I don’t care what he says. I don’t care where he’s been. He turned toward me—and that is enough.”

[Pastoral Commentary – Isaiah 30:18; Zephaniah 3:17]

This is our Father in Heaven.

Isaiah 30:18 says, “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you… he will surely be gracious to you; at the sound of your cry, as soon as he hears it, he answers you.”

And Zephaniah 3:17 declares, “The Lord your God is in your midst… he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

God is not waiting to condemn. He is waiting to run.

Conclusion & Invitation – Luke 15:24

The father says, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”

If you’ve wandered, if you feel like the prodigal today—this is your moment. Don’t wait. Just turn.

Pray with me:

“Jesus, I receive Your forgiveness—for all my sins. I believe You died and rose again. Come live in my heart. Every part of it. I am Yours. And I will follow You the rest of my days. Amen.”

[Closing Commentary – Luke 15:32]

“It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”

Let them whisper.

Because when you turn that corner— the Father will run— and Heaven will dance.

Amen.