Luke 15:20

“And he arose, etc.] This shows that his resolution to arise was not of nature, but of grace, by its being put into execution; for it was made and executed, not in his own strength, but in another's. He did not confer with flesh and blood; nor listen to discouragements which might present; as the distance of the way, the danger in it, the cold reception, if not rejection, he might expect from his father: but he arose immediately; he arose and stood upon his feet, in obedience to the heavenly call, being assisted by divine grace; he arose, and quitted the far country, the citizen, swine, and husks, and denied both sinful and righteous self; and came to his father; his own father; “the father…”

“a great way off--Oh yes, when but the face is turned homeward, though as yet far, far away, our Father recognizes His own child in us, and bounds to meet us--not saying, Let him come to Me and sue for pardon first, but Himself taking the first step. fell on his neck and kissed him--What! In all his filth? Yes. In all his rags? Yes. In all his haggard, shattered wretchedness? Yes. "Our Father who art in heaven," is this Thy portraiture? It is even so (Jer 31:20). And because it is so, I wonder not that such incomparable teaching hath made the world new.”

“He arose, and came - Was coming. But here is no indication of “haste.” He did not “run,” but came driven by his wants, and, as we may suppose, filled with shame, and even with some doubts whether his father would receive him. A great way off - This is a beautiful description - the image of his father’s happening to see him clad in rags, poor, and emaciated, and yet he recognized “his son,” and all the feelings of a father prompted him to go and embrace him. Had compassion - Pitied him. Saw his condition - his poverty and his wretched appearance - and was moved with compassion and love. And ran - This is opposed to the manner in which the son came. The beauty of the picture is greatly…”

“And he arose and came to his father - The moment he had resolved, he began to execute his resolution. While he was yet a great way off, his father saw him - Returning, starved, naked. Luke 15:22”

“15:20 his father saw him coming: His father was apparently watching the road, longing for his son’s return. • he ran to his son: Running was considered undignified for the family patriarch, but the father was full of unbridled joy at his son’s return.”

“But: Deu 30:2-4; Job 33:27, Job 33:28; Psa 86:5, Psa 86:15, Psa 103:10-13; Isa 49:15, Isa 55:6-9; Isa 57:18; Jer 31:20; Eze 16:6-8; Hos 11:8; Mic 7:18, Mic 7:19; Act 2:39; Eph 2:13, Eph 2:17 and fell: Gen 33:4, Gen 45:14, Gen 46:29; Act 20:37 Luke 15:21”