Luke 15:11-32
We are first presented with the young man who reckons his father to be an obstacle to his happiness and who goes away, far from his presence, to waste in riotous living all that he has received from him. In the second scene we see him in the far country reduced to the direst of circumstances, completely destitute. Has not each of us been able to see his own life-story in the details so far? Then may it be that our story will conclude in the same way! Weighed down by his wretchedness the prodigal comes to his senses, remembers the resources of his father’s house, gets up and starts back home . . . In the third scene we see the father – his eagerness as he runs to meet his son with open arms, kissing him, hearing his confession and pardoning him completely, exchanging his rags for the finest robe.
Dear friend, you who recognise your great sinfulness, this scene shows what God feels in His heart for you. Do not be afraid to turn to Him. You will be received as this son was.
Sadly the father cannot make others share his joy fully. The elder son who would not have hesitated to enjoy himself with his friends while his brother was lost, refuses to take part in the festivities. He is a figure of the Jewish people, entrenched in its legalism, and also of all those self-righteous people whose heart is closed to the grace of God.