The motives which determined his repentance are so low that they leave no doubt in our minds that the act itself and not the motive of the act is all important. Here we see the motives that prove the deciding factor could hardly be lower. He was on his last legs, he was at the end of his resources, he was hungry}—and so he came home. But thi did not matter. Low as was the prodigal's motive for return, he did return. Conscious of better things he turned his back on the far country.
His "I will arise and go to my father,' was the beginning of a new life.
The primary motives mattered not, they made the first step in the right direction possible; that alone was, important. Then' comes the climax of the parable, that for which in fact all the rest is mere scaffolding—The Father's welcome.
What a wonderful picture it is! "And while he was yet a great way off." Coming slowly and wearily, in rags and shamefaced, and questioning about the welcome' which awaits him. So the sinner comes, conscious of his sin, knowing his unworthiness, yet hungering after God and home, and ready to take the lowest place, considering himself fortunate to get it. But his Father saw him and had compassion and ran to meet him. The son began his confession, but his father's eagerness would not let him finish it.
So God receives—He not only forgives, but He loads with gifts. Not only, is his sin forgiven, but he fits for service, he fills the life with joy; he restores dignity, he renews character. These are the spiritual equivalent of the robe and the shoes, and the ring and the feast.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.