"Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf!" ~Luke 15:25-27~
This is the grand story of the prodigal son. Most of us who know the story well, know that this older son was angry, jealous that the father threw such an elaborate party for a son who had been so wayward, so irresponsible, so careless, so lost. I think earlier in my life, I may have been more like that older son- a little more judgemental of folks that have made seriously sad mistakes. But the older I've gotten, and the more life experience has taught me, I see myself more like that prodigal son. I know I fall short. I know I make mistakes. I know I disappoint my heavenly Father so much some times.
Know what else I've learned? Most people that have found themselves in the shoes of that prodigal son deeply regret the choices they've made. They would give anything to erase them, rewind them, to get a "do-over". They need to know God hasn't put a big X on them, casting them out as unredeemable, unlovable. God has to remind me that there are no "big" sins and "little" sins...just SIN. And I'm guilty, too. I need a Savior, I could never have saved myself, and neither could you. We all need Jesus. The ground at the alter, at the feet of Jesus, is always level, His blood is equally available to everyone of us. And it took an equal amount of sacrifice for my sins, just like the worst sinner ever...it required His death.
I'm so glad when I've strayed, He kills the fatted calf for my return! I hear singing and dancing in your honor....won't you come home? Where repentance is, redemption always follows. There is nothing broken laid before the Father that He ever leaves unredeemed.
"I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance" ~Luke 15:7~
