God is Ready to Party! Are You?

Do you remember Jesus’ story of "The Wasteful Son." (Most people say "The Prodigal Son," but when I learned that "prodigal" means "wasteful," I decided to call it that.)

In this great lesson Jesus taught, the younger of two sons claims his inheritance, then goes out and wastes it on the worst of sin. In dire need, he takes a job feeding pigs, and gets so hungry that the hog slop looks appetizing. Finally, he comes to his senses and returns home, admitting in a rehearsed speech that he doesn't deserve to be in the family, but would be glad simply to become one of Dad’s servants.

Dad won't think of it. Instead, he arranges a feast to celebrate the homecoming of his long-lost son.

Meanwhile, there's the older son. While his kid brother is out wasting Dad's money on sin, the older son is busy at home being a respectable family member, faithfully managing the family business and preserving his own inheritance. Then one day, Junior returns, and incredibly, instead of kicking his sorry carcass out, Dad throws a bash for the bum! The senior son wants no part in the party. He’s furious, and won’t even enter the house for the celebration.

The story winds down with Dad going outside to invite the older son to come in and rejoice that Junior has finally come home. Then it ends, rather abruptly. Does the older brother come into the party or not? It leaves us hanging, wondering.

It’s an odd ending, and we usually miss its importance.

We all know that the younger brother represents those who waste their lives straying from God. The Dad in the story clearly represents God. But, who is the older brother?

I believe he represents all of us folks who have served God more or less faithfully down through the years: In other words, the senior son is the church.

This parable clearly teaches us that God will accept anyone who comes to Him in true repentance and humble faith. Therefore, sinners of all sorts are welcome to come home to God, if they just realize they need His pardon. He embraces them, and forgives them with rejoicing.

But the question raised at the end of the parable must be addressed: is the church as willing to welcome repentant sinners as God is?

What if they're unpleasant? What if they don’t dress properly? What if they're impolite, and don't know what to do in the worship service? What if they can't recite the creed, and don't know the Lord's Prayer?

If someone with well-known sins would come to your church this Sunday, how would you feel? Would you be ready to party, like God is?

The fact is, Jesus reveals to us that His Father is a lavishly welcoming God. All may become His children who repent of their sins and trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

However, I wonder how the rest of the family feels about it.