Today I'm working on a lecture on Luke 15:11-32, the so-called "Parable of the Lost Son."
When I got to verse 20 I was forced to pause. I became a dog gnawing on a bone. Just what does this term signify?
Most translations say that the father simply "kissed" his son when he saw him. But notice that prefix. Dad did more than just kiss his son. I love how one Spanish version puts it:
"... y lo recibió con abrazos y besos."
For what it's worth, here's my own rendering of the verse:
"While he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with compassion, he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and smothered him with kisses."
Once again, Greek is my hero. Sometimes the Greek will turn upside down so much of what you know. It will challenge you to think differently. It will dispute established interpretations. It will defy conventional wisdom. Often it will counter accepted translations.
We learn motivation by studying Churchill, teamwork by analyzing Eisenhower, fortitude by emulating Lincoln. But we learn compassion by studying the father of Luke 15:11-32.
By the way, I'm not calling my lecture "The Parable of the Lost Son." Instead, I believe I will go with "The Grace of a Compassionate Father."
Friend, are you getting into the Scriptures yourself? I hope so. Whenever you study any verse of Scripture, be sure to pay attention to the key words. There is a direct correlation between your ability to observe Scripture and your ability to apply it to your life. So anything you do to improve your reading skills will be a quantum leap in the direction of improving your observation skills as a student of God's word!
Have a wonderful day!