The Prodigal Son and All of That Rejoicing
Luke 15:11 ¶ And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.
Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.
Luke 15:13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
Luke 15:14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
Luke 15:15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
Luke 15:16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
Luke 15:17 ¶ “But when he came to himself, he said, ’How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
Luke 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’
Luke 15:20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Luke 15:21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, ’Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
Luke 15:23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:25 ¶ “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
Luke 15:26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
Luke 15:27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’
Luke 15:28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,
Luke 15:29 but he answered his father, ’Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’
Luke 15:31 And he said to him, ’Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
Luke 15:32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
Volumes have been written on this so I’m not going to invent anything new here, but read this again. The context of Jesus telling this parable is about how much rejoicing there is in heaven when a lost person is found.
It’s a huge party. Besides God simply existing and being awesome, this is one of the few things, according to scripture, that causes rejoicing in Heaven.
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