Welcome Party (Luke 15)
Journey with Jesus to the Cross (Friday, April 1)
Read Luke 15
Only now, it’s not just one story — it’s three: a lost sheep is found and the shepherd rejoices with his friends; a lost coin is found and the woman wants to celebrate; a lost son comes home and the father throws a party.
Common themes? Lost. Found. Party. And in the first two, the direct application: when lost people are found, heaven throws a party. The implication? Providing a safe place for people to find their way back to God, and celebrating with them when they do, is an activity blessed by heaven itself. (It’s one of the many reasons I’m glad we meet in a saloon.)
There is a party in the third story, too. But not everyone is happy about it. In the same way that the Pharisees and scribes grumbled at Jesus’ choice of friends, the older brother grumbles at his father’s response to his brother’s return. No doubt, he thought his brother deserved a lecture and a beating, not a party.
Of course, the older brother was right. It would be hard to exaggerate the embarrassment the younger brother had caused the family. At every level, his behavior was shameful. He did not deserve a party. Even the younger brother knew that. The best he hoped for was to be given permission to return as a slave.
But neither brother had accounted for the infinite reservoir of grace which motivated the father’s love. It was grace that caused him to let his son go in the first place (he didn’t have to do it); it was grace that caused him to welcome his son home when he returned.
Throwing all propriety to the wind, he ran to him (no self-respecting gentleman would ever do that), embraced him, kissed him, and fully re-instated him to the family with a robe, a ring, sandals, and a party. It was an overwhelming, over-the-top, lavish display of grace.
Reflect for a moment on the three characters in this story. What can we learn from the younger son? Even though he had shamed his family, there came a point (yes, it was while he held pig feed in his hand) when he came to his senses, got up, and returned to his father. Perhaps, like him, it’s time for us to wake up, drop the slop, and come home. Our father can’t wait to throw us a party.
What can we learn from the older son? His bitterness toward his brother – perhaps, too, toward his father – had consumed his life. He had become resentful, judgmental, and critical. He had become a slave even within the freedom of his father’s home. He needed forgiveness for his unforgiving spirit. He, too, needed to come home. Sadly, we don’t know if he ever did. May God help we "older brothers"
What can I learn from the father? He still waits patiently for wayward children to return home. And when we do, he offers us the same overwhelming, over-the-top, lavish grace that was given to the younger son. In fact, the Bible says as much: “In him [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us…” (Ephesians 1:7-8).
So then, whether we are the older brother or the younger — and often we’re both — when we come to our senses and let go of our pride, our father delights in throwing a party for us. And meanwhile, it is our privilege to offer to our broken world the same grace that has been lavished upon us.
“Lord,
Reflect for a moment on the three characters in this story. What can we learn from the younger son? Even though he had shamed his family, there came a point (yes, it was while he held pig feed in his hand) when he came to his senses, got up, and returned to his father. Perhaps, like him, it’s time for us to wake up, drop the slop, and come home. Our father can’t wait to throw us a party.
What can we learn from the older son? His bitterness toward his brother – perhaps, too, toward his father – had consumed his life. He had become resentful, judgmental, and critical. He had become a slave even within the freedom of his father’s home. He needed forgiveness for his unforgiving spirit. He, too, needed to come home. Sadly, we don’t know if he ever did. May God help we "older brothers"
What can I learn from the father? He still waits patiently for wayward children to return home. And when we do, he offers us the same overwhelming, over-the-top, lavish grace that was given to the younger son. In fact, the Bible says as much: “In him [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us…” (Ephesians 1:7-8).
So then, whether we are the older brother or the younger — and often we’re both — when we come to our senses and let go of our pride, our father delights in throwing a party for us. And meanwhile, it is our privilege to offer to our broken world the same grace that has been lavished upon us.
“Lord,
when I am the younger son, bring me to my senses;
when I am the older son, break me of my pride.
Thank you for the overwhelming grace you have lavished upon me,
and for the welcome party you throw whenever I come home.”