By LARRY TIMM

Pastor, Peabody Bible Church

As the one running drew closer, the son could hear his own heart pounding in his ears like a fist on a door. He couldn’t believe his eyes — it was his father! He knew that the moment of face-to-face repentance was fast approaching.

His breath caught in his dry throat as his father came closer. He could see tears streaming down his father’s weathered face and a look of deep affection shining from his eyes.

“My son, my son,” the father uttered, overcome with emotion, as though his greatest fears had been relieved and his greatest hope had been restored.

The old man threw his arms around his son and drew him into a tight embrace, kissing his neck repeatedly, his tears dropping onto the son’s filthy garment, seemingly oblivious to the filth and smell of his prodigal son.

Finally the son managed to utter the words of humility that had been with him every step of his journey back to his father’s home. They were all he had to offer: “Father, I have sinned against heaven; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

Had his father even heard him?