‘It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ – Luke 15:1-2, 32 (ESV)
Three parables that illustrate God’s heart towards those who are lost: a lost sheep (vv 3-7), a lost coin (vv 8-10), and a lost son (vv 11-24). When the lost thing was found, there was great rejoicing (vv 6-7, 9-10, 23-24). There is a very important lesson about the Lord – He has a missionary heart that is filled with love. God comes to us, we do not go to Him.
Now, the chapter doesn’t end with that message; Jesus takes it one step further. Not only does God love lost things, but, as His people, we should as well. The older brother did not rejoice at the return of his sibling and the father corrected his perspective. He should be glad; he now has a brother, where he didn’t before.
This is a painting by Rembrandt titled, “Return of the Prodigal Son.” This painting is the focus of Henri Nouwen’s book by the same title. In the picture you see the younger son at the feet of the father while the older son stands at a distance. Nouwen’s progression started as seeing himself as the prodigal, then as the older brother, and then, finally, trying to become like the father. That should be our end as well, becoming like the Father.
