The Father’s Hands

 A Reflection on God’s Love

The Return of the Prodigal Son

Introduction

Henri Nouwen’s reflection on Rembrandt’s painting The Return of the Prodigal Son is a profound meditation on God’s love, particularly as expressed through the hands of the father in the painting. Nouwen draws attention to the details of the hands resting on the shoulders of the returning son, exploring their symbolic power. In this deeply personal and spiritual journey, Nouwen identifies with each figure in the parable from Luke 15:11–32: the younger son, the elder son, and finally the father. He especially emphasizes the father’s hands as a visual and theological representation of God’s boundless mercy. As seen in Luke 15:29–30, the elder son’s indignation over the prodigal’s reception reminds us of the tension between law and grace. Yet, the father’s hands reveal a love that transcends resentment, offering forgiveness, healing, and restoration. Nouwen’s insights encourage us to consider not only how God welcomes us but also how we are called to embody this transformative love in our own lives.

1. A Gentle, Healing Touch

In the painting, the father’s hands are placed gently on the son’s back. They are neither forceful nor withholding but radiate compassion and acceptance. Nouwen describes these hands as embodying the tender, healing love of God—a love that restores and reassures the wayward and broken. This touch signifies that the son, despite his rebellion, is wholly accepted and embraced.

2. Masculine and Feminine Characteristics

Nouwen observed that the two hands are different: one appears strong and masculine, while the other is slender and more feminine. This duality reflects the completeness of God’s love, which encompasses both strength and tenderness. It reassures us that God meets us in our vulnerability with both protective power and nurturing care.

3. The Act of Blessing

The placement of the hands conveys a silent blessing. It is as if the father is not only forgiving but also commissioning the son, restoring him to a place of honor and dignity. In Nouwen’s view, this echoes the way God restores His children, not simply forgiving their sins but also inviting them to participate anew in His purposes.

4. Open Hands of Welcome

The hands represent openness—a readiness to receive without condition. They reflect the kind of love described in Psalm 103:13: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” God’s hands are always extended toward us, offering forgiveness and grace.

5. A Call to Imitation

Nouwen also challenges readers to see themselves as the father in the story, called to extend God’s love to others. Just as the father’s hands in the painting radiate acceptance and love, so too are we invited to embody that love in our relationships, offering compassion, forgiveness, and welcome.

God’s Hands in Scripture

• Isaiah 41:10: “I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God’s hands are not only tender but also strong, holding and sustaining His children.

• Psalm 139:5: “You hem me in, behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” This verse reflects the intimacy and protection of God’s touch.

• John 10:28-29: Jesus assures us that no one can snatch us out of His hand or the Father’s hand, underscoring the security found in God’s love.

Application

Nouwen’s reflection invites us to consider how God’s hands have shaped, held, and guided us through life, offering a constant reminder of His faithfulness. The father’s hands in Rembrandt’s painting are not merely symbols of forgiveness but are also deeply restorative, bringing the prodigal son back into relationship and community. Like the son, we may feel unworthy after our failures, believing we’ve strayed too far to be accepted. Yet, those hands reflect the truth of God’s grace—an unconditional embrace that silences shame and restores dignity.

In a world often marked by rejection, fear, and broken relationships, the father’s hands model a love that is not transactional but transformative. They challenge us to trust in the security of God’s love, to rest in His compassion, and to extend that love outward. We are called to become “hands of grace” in our interactions, embodying God’s tenderness and strength to welcome, restore, and heal others. Nouwen reminds us that, like the father, we too can reflect God’s divine love by offering forgiveness and blessing to those in need of hope and belonging.

Prayer

Loving Father, thank You for the healing power of Your hands, always ready to welcome us home. Teach us to rest in Your embrace and trust in Your unfailing love. Shape our hearts to reflect Your compassion, that we may extend grace and forgiveness to others. Help us to become instruments of Your love in a world longing for healing. May we, like the father in the parable, embody Your mercy and restoration, drawing others to You.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.