Luke 15:20

And he arose and came to his father A mere flash of remorse is not enough; a journey must be taken: the back must be at once and finally turned on the far land; and all the shame of abandoned duties and forsaken friends be faced. "The course to the unific rectitude of a manly life" always appears to the sinner to be, and sometimes really is, "in the face of a scorching past and a dark future."

But when he was yet a great way off "Now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13.

had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck On this full, frank, absolute forgiveness, see Psalms 103:8-10; Psalms 103:12 .On the tender Fatherly love of God see Isaiah 49:15; Matthew 7:11, &c.

and kissed him Literally, "kissed him warmly or closely," Genesis 33:4.