“I have made known to you everything I have learned from My Father.” (John 15:15)
“You must believe Me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.” (John 14:11)
Jesus’ entire life was devoted to making His Father known and to bringing God’s sons and daughters home. Jesus lived in His Father with the understanding that His Father lived in Him. Consequently, Jesus lived in Love and Love lived in Him.
The parable of the ‘Prodigal Son’ reveals what Jesus wants all to know about His Father. The late Henri Nouwen wrote a book about Rembrandt’s masterpiece entitled ‘The Return of the Prodigal Son.’ These are his words:
“Here is the God I want to believe in: a Father, who, from the beginning of creation, has stretched out his arms in merciful blessing, never forcing himself on anyone, but always waiting; never letting his arms drop down in despair, but always hoping that his children will return so that he can speak words of love to them and let his tired arms rest on their shoulders. His only desire is to bless.” (pp 95, 96)
The father is full of love, compassion, and the overwhelming desire for his children to be at his table. He longed to see his younger son come back from a foolish quest for freedom and pleasure. When the prodigal humbly returned, the father welcomed him home and threw a party, inviting others to experience his joy.
In anger, the older son refused to join the celebration, so the father went out to invite him in. He loved the older son just as much as he loved the younger. “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” (Luke 15:31-32)
Whether the listeners comprehended or not, Jesus painted the picture of God as He is… a Father with outstretched arms. “Whether you are far away or nearby, My Father wants you to be in fellowship with Him. Whether your sin is visible or hidden, My Father wants to forgive and restore. My Father is Love and His Love is your salvation.”
“He (Jesus) came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Ephesians 2:17-18