An Encounter with Divine Love
by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
This morning, I awoke at 4 AM, a time when I often take advantage of the stillness of night to pray. In the dark, I chose to admire the Father, reaching my hand up to Him, declaring in prayer how beautifully magnificent He is—an incomprehensible holiness that leaves me in awe. As I sought His face, I felt a kiss on the top right corner of my forehead. It was as if two definitive pressure points of lips had touched me gently. In that moment, I knew that my Father had kissed me.
This experience was one of the most precious and defining moments of my life, occurring in the mundane darkness of my bedroom. It served as a powerful reminder of His love, intimacy, and the anointing that comes from being in His presence. Just as a physical kiss symbolizes affection and connection, I felt the warmth of His embrace and the assurance that I am deeply cherished.
In reflecting on this encounter, I realize how God’s presence can transform even the quietest moments into extraordinary experiences. This kiss from the Father wasn’t just a moment of affection; it was a profound reminder of His constant love and the anointing that empowers us to navigate life’s challenges.
Biblical References: The Anointing of God
- Psalm 23:5: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
- This verse highlights God’s provision and blessing, indicating a deep intimacy and care.
- Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”
- Here, Jesus speaks of His anointing by the Spirit, affirming His mission and divine authority.
- 1 John 2:20: “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.”
- This passage emphasizes that believers are anointed by God, equipping them for understanding and living out their faith.
- Luke 7:37-38: The sinful woman kisses Jesus’ feet and anoints them with perfume, illustrating a deep, personal connection and the reverence that comes with anointing.
- Song of Solomon 1:2: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine.”
- This poetic expression symbolizes the longing for God’s presence and love.
The Prodigal Son and the Father’s Embrace
The father’s actions in the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) vividly illustrate the themes of grace, forgiveness, and restoration. The kiss can be viewed as a form of anointing that signifies the complete restoration of the son’s identity, rights, and place within the family. This story serves as a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering love and the lengths He goes to restore His children, regardless of their past choices. When the father sees his wayward son returning, he rushes out to embrace him, planting a kiss on his neck. This act of affection symbolizes the restoration of the son’s rights and inheritance.
Restoration Actions: Following the embrace and kiss, the father commands that the best robe be brought, a ring placed on his finger, and sandals on his feet (Luke 15:22), further symbolizing the complete restoration of the son’s identity and rights.
Context of the Story: The Prodigal Son represents someone who has strayed from his father’s house, squandered his inheritance, and found himself in a desperate situation. His decision to return home is fueled by repentance and the hope of reconciliation.
The Father’s Response: When the father sees his son from a distance, he is filled with compassion and runs to embrace him (Luke 15:20):
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
The Significance of the Kiss:
Symbol of Forgiveness: The kiss represents forgiveness and acceptance, indicating that the father is welcoming his son back into the family without holding onto resentment.
Restoration of Status: The kiss signifies the restoration of the son’s rights and inheritance, marking his return as a beloved child.
Covenant Relationship: The act of kissing symbolizes a reaffirmation of their relationship, emphasizing the son’s integral place in the family despite past mistakes.
Reflection on Restoration
The story of the Prodigal Son is a powerful testament to the depth of God’s love and the beauty of restoration. Just as the father embraced his son, symbolizing the complete forgiveness and reinstatement of his identity within the family, I experienced a similar moment of restoration this morning. The kiss from my Father was not just an affectionate gesture; it was a profound reminder that I, too, am welcomed back into His embrace, regardless of my past struggles or doubts.
In that moment, I recognized that restoration is not merely about returning to a previous state; it is about being transformed and renewed in the presence of God. Just as the father celebrated the return of his son by bestowing honor upon him—a robe, a ring, and a feast—I felt that same celebration in my heart. The kiss was an affirmation of my identity as a beloved daughter, reminding me that I am cherished and equipped for a purpose in His kingdom.
This connection between the Prodigal Son’s restoration and my personal experience illustrates the overarching theme of God’s grace. His desire to restore us goes beyond mere forgiveness; it encompasses the full restoration of our identity, purpose, and relationship with Him. Each kiss from the Father serves as a beautiful reminder that no matter how far we wander, His arms are always open, ready to embrace us and welcome us home.
Conclusion
As we again contemplate the concept of divine kisses—moments of grace, anointing, and love—we can find peace and reassurance in knowing that we are cherished by our Heavenly Father. His kisses are not just moments of affection; they are affirmations of His presence and power in our lives.
During Wednesday night class with my River Youth Group members, the Holy Spirit gave a word of knowledge during our quiet prayer time. He expressed His joy for my students being present and emphatically stated that after Wednesday night, we would not be the same as we were before because of the works of the Spirit of the Almighty in our lives. While I shared this word as given, I didn’t initially think it applied to me; I simply envisioned the possibilities for those young men and women.
However, that kiss during the night became my moment of transformation—an opportunity for me to change once again into someone with a pure heart who seeks the face of her Father. As I close this blog post and send it out to what I pray is a receptive audience, I still feel the pressure of those lips on my face, an indelible mark of my position in the Kingdom of God—a child of a most gracious Father. May we all embrace the truth of our identity in Him and allow His love to transform us, just as it transformed the Prodigal Son and continues to transform our lives each day.
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