Luke 15:20-24 (NIV) “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 son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
Jesus had described the celebration in heaven that happens when a single sinner repents (15:7, 10). The father’s rejoicing in this parable reflects that same celebration.
The returning son in this parable, who had disgraced both himself and his father by his self-centered, self-absorbed actions and attitudes, and who had ruined and disgraced himself, represents the tax collectors and sinners that regularly followed Jesus and listened to Him teach. Like the son, they had decided that it was time to humble themselves before God, and to return to Him, even if it was only as slaves.
But what a surprise was waiting for this prodigal son! The father he had disgraced was waiting for him, hoping for him, constantly on the watch for his return. And when his bedraggled figure first appeared over the horizon, the father leaped from his seat, ran out the house, and ran to his returning son, enfolding him in a warm embrace that told him that he was welcome.
Likewise, God is always on the lookout for the sinner to repent and to turn toward home. When He first sees someone turn, He immediately rushes to their side, providing them with all the grace that they need to complete the repentance and to make it real. Then He embraces them as sons, and welcomes them into His kingdom, now their kingdom.
The son attempts to deliver his prepared speech, begging the father to receive him back, even if only as a servant. But the father doesn’t need to hear the words; he has seen the heart. He interrupts the plea, and commands that the son be restored to the family immediately, and that a great celebration be commenced to celebrate the return of this wayward son to the life of the family.
In the same way, God doesn’t wait for the right words to be spoken in a prayer of repentance, the right “magic formula,” that will convince Him of the sinners’ sincerity. He sees the heart, and He knows when the repentance is real, even if a word is not spoken aloud. When someone returns to Him, they are immediately received into the family, and a celebration begins.
Jesus is trying to help the criticizing Pharisees understand that the fact that these tax collectors are hanging out with Jesus and are repenting and being saved was a cause for rejoicing, not for criticism and self-righteousness. God is rejoicing; they who claimed to love and serve Him should rejoice as well. But this isn’t the end of the story.
Father, it is amazing to think of You watching so diligently for me when I returned from the far country, retracing steps that I had made so long before. But it is the truth. And I will never run out of thankfulness and praise for that reality. Amen.
Today's Scripture 