0295. The Home Leaving

The Home Leaving

"And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country" (Luk_15:13).

It is not difficult to get the scene before our minds.

1. There was the "gathering of his goods together." The packing and the taking stock of his new possessions. How rich he must have felt, and as he was getting things ready and preparing for his trip how he must have built air castles. Never did the sky seem clearer and never life more promising.

How roseate were his mind pictures of the "good times ahead." He was beside himself with anticipation. Attracted by the novelty of traversing new scenes, of treading new soil, and of entering a new life, all of which he anticipated as filled with joy.

The father, perhaps, gave certain warnings, but the son had no ears to hear dismal forebodings. He considered the father quite ignorant of the larger things, altogether too circumscribed and limited in vision to take in the grandeurs and enchantments of his new life.

2. There were the farewells, the parting words. At last everything was in readiness for the start. The prodigal was aglow with the glory of self-interest; the father sad with disappointed hopes.

Then the lad waved his hand, and started on his way. Perhaps the dear father went with him to the top of the hill, and then with a quiet composure, but with a beating heart, he said: "My son, you have asked your goods, you have broken with your home; new experiences will be yours; you are traveling a very dangerous and robber-infested road; pitfalls are on every hand; your father will not be near for counsel, nor your home at hand for refuge, I greatly fear for your safety, I know what lies ahead; but, my son, if ever you are down and out and you need a friend, remember ‘though all others forsake you, yet will not I;’ my home is always open, the latch string is on the outside the door; my heart will never cease to love you, my home will never be barred against you,–my son, farewell."

Then, as the son, with his portion about him, went on his way, the father stood on the hill crest and watched the son’s descent, until the distance hid him to view. Then, sadly he turned and went back alone, but bearing in his heart the boy, and as he went he cried: "How shall I give thee up my son, how shall I make thee as Admah; how shall I set thee as Zeboim?"

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR