Artist’s Statement

This sculpture is meant to capture the intense and dramatic love of God for the repentant sinner. Of particular inspiration was the verse from the parable of the prodigal son, Luke 15:20b, " But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him.” Of particular interest is the literal rendering of the Greek “…and fell on his neck and kissed him.” This phrase is was an expression in antiquity used to paint a scene of a recklessly abandoned affection, joy, and love. The phrase is used 4 other times in the Bible:

- Of Esau’s reunion with his estranged brother Jacob in Genesis 6:4, “Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.”
- Of Joseph’s restoration with Benjamin in Genesis 45:14-15 “Then he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept; and Benjamin wept on his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept on them, and afterward his brothers talked with him.”
- Of Joseph’s reuniting with his father Israel in Genesis 46:29, “And Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; as soon as he appeared before him, he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a long time.”
- Of Paul’s heart wrenching goodbye to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:37 “And a considerable weeping of all occurred and they threw themselves on Paul’s neck and repeatedly kissed him….”

Jesus’ use of this expression to describe the Father’s embrace of the returning sinner in Luke 15, in concert with the intensity of its use in the texts above reveal much about how lavishly God forgives and reconciles. His mercy and love are not paltry, feeble, or reserved. No! They’re torrential, opulent, and freely poured out in Christ. The truth is anyone who comes to the Father confessing his sins and asking forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ receives this stupendous embrace from the Father. How beautiful a truth this is! How nourishing! Whether coming to Christ for the first time, or returning to Him from a time of waywardness, let us strive to make much of God’s love for us in Christ Jesus. In Jesus, He falls on your neck and kisses you!
There are several facets of this work that seek to convey the intensity of God’s lavish grace for the repentant sinner. First, notice how worn out, limp, skinny, dirty, and weak the son is. He has no strength. He doesn’t even pretend to have his act together. He’s just given up, admitted sin and weakness and collapsed into the arms of God. So it is with anyone who truly recognizes that they are dead in their sins, lost without God. Do you sometimes feel like this, too?

Notice the size of the father’s forearms. They’re solid and strong, just like God’s grip of grace to the believer. With one arm he easily props up the exhausted son. With the other arm, he emotionally caresses his son’s head. Do you see yourself embraced like this by the Father because of the work of Jesus?

Finally, notice the expression on the father’s face. It’s a complex combination of joy, love, relief, and thankfulness. Such is God’s countenance toward one who returns to Him through Christ. Have you returned to God? Do you realize that this is something like the expression He has on His face over you?