Section 7
When the father saw his son, he ran to him and fell on his neck and kissed him affection ately. This indicates that God the Father runs to receive a returning sinner. What eagerness this shows! The father's falling on his son's neck and kissing him affectionately shows a warm and loving reception. The prodigal son's return to the Father is due to the Spirit's seeking (v. 8); the Father's receiving of the returned son is based upon the Son's finding in His redemption.
Verses 21 and 22 continue, "And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet." Verse 22 begins with "but." What a word of love and grace! It counters the prod igal's own thinking and stops his nonsensical talk.
The father told his slaves to quickly bring out the best robe and put it on his son. The word "quickly" matches the father's running (v. 20). The definite article "the" used with "best robe" indicates that a particular robe had been pre pared for this particular purpose at this par ticular time. Literally, the Greek word translated