More Kisses –
Luke 15:20
As pictured in the story of the prodigal son upon his return to his father’s house, when poor, weary sinners come home to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord God runs out to meet them, falls on their neck, and bids them welcome with kisses…
Kisses Of Restoration
The Father’s
repeated kisses mean complete restoration (Eph,
Kisses Of Joy
The Father’s
kisses are tokens of great, abundant joy (Lk.
Kisses Of Comfort
Surely, these kisses from the lips of our Father mean overflowing comfort for the hearts of redeemed sinners. They mean the past is all forgotten. -- The present is all peace. We are immutably “accepted in the Beloved!” -- The future is all secure. At home, in our Father’s house, there is no possibility of expulsion, or of us ever leaving on our own (Jer. 32:38-40).
Once in Christ, in Christ forever! None from Him my soul can sever.
He will never, never
leave me, Nor will let me quite leave Him!
Kisses Of Assurance
The Father’s kisses, if they mean anything, mean strong assurance of grace most free. God’s kisses assure us that his mercy, love, and grace are all real. His incessant kisses assure us that his love is immutable, unfailing, and everlasting. His kisses assure our hearts that we are indeed his!
Kisses Of Communion
The Father’s kisses mean intimate communion and complete reconciliation established by grace. Before the prodigal is brought into the fellowship of the family, he must be brought into fellowship with God. Before a sinner comes to the family’s table, he must have the Father’s kiss upon his cheeks. Before there could be any public rejoicing, there had to be some private kissing. Only after he had received his father’s kiss could the prodigal son endure the elder brother’s scorn. But, with his father’s kisses upon his cheeks, the scorn of his own brother is nothing.
Don Fortner