Bible Study - Luke 15

S — And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Luke 15:20 ESV

O — Commentary:
It was a breach of an elderly Jewish man's dignity to run, though familial love could take priority over dignity after a long absence (cf. Tobit 11:9—mother and son). Given the normal garb, the father would have had to pull up his skirt to run. Kissing was a conventional greeting for family members or intimate friends; normally it consisted of a light kiss on the lips (easily distinguishable from lovers' passionate kisses).
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014), 221–222.

A — Another story of how the Father sees us. He was far off, but the father recognized him by his shape and form, not his condition. The father gave up his dignity to provide it for his son. He did the same for us when Jesus lost all of His dignity so we could return to relationship with God. We are invited into intimacy with the One who created all things by having His presence in our lives at all times. My favorite part is that the father runs — he is looking for any moment possible where he can get into our heart, mind, words, and actions, and walk with us.

R — Heavenly Father, You are so big and yet intimately in relationship with us. Thank You for seeing us and running to us in our brokenness. Thank You for losing Your dignity so we could gain our own. And thank You for knowing us intimately despite the fact that You are our Creator. We are eternally grateful and humbled that You love us.