The Father Embraces You Because of Jesus

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." (Luke 15: 20)

When we read "fell on his neck", modern readers must understand this phrase really means "embrace" or "love hug".

In the last post, we learned more about the  Father who runs to us, no longer separated from us or having to leave us off because of sin.

Today, we see the Father who takes us into His loving arms.

Now, what is the original word for "fall on neck" in this context? Epipipto, a term which speaks of strong endearment, not just falling heavily on something or someone.

The Holy Spirit fell strongly and embraced Cornelius and his house when Peter preached the Gospel to them:

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word." (Acts 10: 44)

The Holy Spirit grants us a new status, a new identity of adoption, making us sons in Christ before our Loving Father:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)

The Spirit ensures our eternal life and salvation, too:

"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4: 30)

In fact, we are loved with an everlasting love, just like the Israelites during Jeremiah's day (Jeremiah 31: 3)

Paul prayed that we understand how much our Father loves us:

"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3: 16-19)

and also:

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." (1 John 3: 1)

Today, know that your Father is embracing you, not because of anything that you have done, but because of His son, Jesus.