148. He Ran, and He Ran.

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him. - Mark 5:6.

But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. — Luke 15:20.

These two texts have a measure of apparent likeness: the man runs to Jesus from afar, and the Father runs to the prodigal from afar.

They do, however, as much illustrate the difference as the likeness of our action towards the Lord, and the Lord's action towards us. From the two together a blended lesson may be learned.

I. THE SINNER'S PLACE. "Afar off" Jesus is afar off in the sinner is apprehension, and the sinner is in very deed far off from God.

1. As to character. What a difference between the demoniac and the Lord Jesus: between the prodigal son and the great Father!

2. As to knowledge. The demoniac knew Jesus, but knew little of his love. The prodigal knew little of his Father's great heart.

3. As to hope. The man possessed of a devil had no hope of recovery, or but a faint one, and that hope the demons tried to extinguish. The prodigal only hoped to be received as a hired servant: he felt that his sins had put him far away from the true position of a son.

4. As to possession. The demoniac had no hold upon the Savior; on the contrary, he cried, "What have I to do with thee?" The prodigal thought he had lost all claim to his Father, and therefore said, "I am no more worthy to be called thy son."

Immeasurable is the distance between God and a sinner: it is wide as the gulf between sin and holiness, death and life, hell and heaven.

II. THE SINNER'S PRIVILEGE. "He saw Jesus"

This much you, who are most under Satan's influence, are able to see concerning Jesus: you know that—

l. There is such a Person. He is God and man, the Savior.

2. He has done great things.

3. He is able to cast out the powers of evil.

4. He may cast them out from you and deliver you.

III. THE SINNER'S WISEST COURSE. "He ran and worshipped him."

The demoniac was all in confusion, for he was under contending influences: his own spirit and the evil spirit strove together.

He ran towards Jesus, and worshipped him; and yet in the same breath he cried, "What have I to do with thee?" Thus are sinners tossed about. But it is the sinner's wisest course to run to Jesus, for—

1. He is the Son of the Most High God (John 1:34).

2. He is the great enemy of our enemy, the devil (Heb. 2:14).

3. He is abundantly able to drive out a legion of devils.

4. He can cause us to be clothed, and in our right mind.

5. He permits us even now to draw near and worship him.

It was the prodigal's wisdom to hasten to his Father.

Like arguments may be easily found in his case. >IV. THE SECRET OF HOPE FOR SINNERS. "His Father saw him."

1. The returning sinner was seen from afar by omniscience.

2. He was recognized as a son is known by his Father.

3. He was understood, beloved, and accepted by his Father.

This is the basis of hope for lost ones: not so much what they can see, as the fact that the Lord of love and grace sees them in all their sin and misery.

V. THE ACTION OF THE SINNER'S FATHER. He "ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

1. Here was great tenderness– "his Father saw him, and had compassion."

2. Here was great swiftness– "and ran."

3. Here was great condescension– he "ran, and fell on his neck."

4. Here were great love and mercy– "and kissed him."

The Father's running made an end of the son's fears, and brought; swift realization of joyful acceptance.

Let us run to our Savior, and our Father.

Let us rejoice that our Savior and our Father run to meet us.