Coming Home

Breathing hard, he turns the corner. Although he hardly looks the part, he knows these halls very well. The beautiful walls of ivory are decorated with the richest and finest ornaments anyone has ever seen. He takes another turn, leading to the court room. He is hardly presentable in these garments. The stench he leaves behind as he walks through the corridors leaves the bystanders in awe that one would present himself this way. But, they had learned to keep their opinions to themselves when it came to the Kings son. After all, who were they?

He passes by the chamber of learning without even a pause. How many hours had he spent in the chamber of learning? As a child, he had learned so much in that chamber, yeah, precious riches of wisdom. This knowledge of the holy is still with him today. Today, he hardly looks like he once did. He once resembled the royalty he was—and still is!

He sees down the corridor on his left the chamber of fellowship. How many joyous moments has he of that wonderful place? Growing up there, he had the pleasure of spending much of his life in precious communion with the King’s cabinet and counsel. How embarrassing it would be to be confronted in such an environment in his current state!

No, he must keep going.

He finally enters the main hall that leads to the court room.

Almost there…

Now that he’s here, doubts enter his mind as to his decision. What will his father think? Does he know of his son’s indiscretion? Of course he does! Could he possibly not know? Dare he ask for mercy again after again hurting his father? He wasn’t sure.

He sure didn’t remember the hallway toward the courtroom being this long of a walk. His breathing is heavier than before.

He hadn’t been gone long…or at least it didn’t seem long. He had just wandered…a little. But it didn’t take much. First it was just a fancied thought and before you knew it, he was at the end of his rope. Now, here he panted forward at the door through which his fate would be decided.

He begins to recall his father’s mercy last time this happened. What a fool! How could he have done this again? He can only imagine his fathers hurt…

After being adopted out of such a bad situation, you would think a Kings son would have some more loyalty than this. After all, his father kept back no blessings from his son in his time. Everything he owned was a gift from the King; he had given him everything! But in getting what he wanted, he lost what he had! Why did he leave again? That’s funny! As big as it seemed then, he can’t even remember anymore!!

He begins to weep. How foolish can he be? How pointless could the reason have been for him to leave if he can’t even remember?

He must pull himself together before he reaches the courtroom so he can present his sincere apology, and accept his fate. He must.

But thinking on his sinful ways is not helping. He tries to stifle his sobs as he looks up knowing he must be close to the courtroom of his father by now…

And there he stood, in front of his father, in the middle of the courtroom!

Someone must have opened the courtroom doors without him knowing, and while his head was bowed with his sorrow, he had unknowingly walked right in to the courtroom.

His father saw his sorrow. He saw the tears. He saw him bearing out his heart. And now what?

He couldn’t speak. But then, he realized he didn’t need to. He could see his father’s eyes stinging with tears, and he knew once again the great love his father had for him. He knew in that one glance that forgiveness was granted. He not only knew it---he felt it! Once again, everything was ok! His father embraced his son, glad he hadn’t gone far, but even more glad he was quick to come back when he realized his mistake.

And the kings aides and the bystanders in the court looked on with awe at the relationship of a forgiving father and an unfaithful son.

And now the painted picture hangs in the corridor of the King’s son, ever deepening his love for the father. For he that is forgiven much, the same loveth much!

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The King is my heavenly father. The unfaithful son is me. The time this occurred? Last Sunday morning.