Luke 15:20  

And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him.

The hallmark of divine grace is that an infinite and holy God is seeking for a relationship with sinful humankind.

In the Ancient Near Eastern culture, any man of dignity would never run or even walk very fast. I guess they could never live in Korea where life is so fast! They would walk in a slow and dignified manner. They also wore very long robes, which is one reason they could not run. This means that this man had to fold his robes – further making himself more undignified, and run. I can imagine the people in his village looking at him and holding their breath wondering what had happened!!! He never thought about his glory, he never thought about what other people would say. He wanted one thing: He wanted his son restored back home. Friends, this is the cross. This is God, in Jesus Christ, loving us this much. Spreading his arms on that shameful and painful wooden cross and saying this is how much I love! He was always waiting. His heart and his eyes were always looking towards the direction that his son took. He was always longing for that moment. This is GRACE. The hallmark of divine grace is that an infinite and holy God is seeking for a relationship with sinful humankind. The Bible says in Romans 5:6-8 that

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God is in the business of seeking. He is a waiting Father. We may have disappointed on us but he never gives up on us. He simply accepts us. Do you notice the father simply hugged and kissed the son? He never told him first have a shower and a haircut then come. Or, tell me; where is all my money? No, all he was waiting for was his son. That’s how God looks at us. He is waiting for us. He is longing for a restored fellowship with you.

Thank you Father because you never give up on us. Thank you for the cross. Thank you for your amazing grace. Thank you for your salvation. Amen