So
he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his
father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son,
embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned
against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your
son.' But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the
house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.
And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for
this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he
is found.' So the party began. Luke
15:20-24
Dancing in the streets.
Jerusalem, Israel
Meditate
on this scripture and celebrating.
He
was lost—and he’s come home! What joy filled that father’s heart! That father
ran! He had to pull up his long robe and tuck it into the belt at his waist in
order to run. Most rich farmers wouldn’t be so undignified as to adjust their expensive
robe and run—but this father did. Notice that he was watching and waiting for
his son. He probably had spent many days standing at the end of the road just
watching, anticipating his son’s return. Look, I see him! He’s here! He’s home!
The father was overjoyed! The lost is found!
Give
my son some new, clean clothes, the best robe in the house, a gold ring worthy
of him, and a good pair of sandals. Kill the fattened calf! Call in all the
neighbors, friends, and family. Let the celebrating begin!
In
this era, it wasn’t common to have beef every day or even every week. The
farmer would fatten up a calf for a special occasion or festival. That was the
calf the father told his servants to prepare for a “Welcome Home” feast. They
probably had a big spread of other foods, like breads, along with hummus, fresh
fruits and vegetables, as well as dried fruits. Food, music, and probably dancing were important
parts of the festivity. Can you imagine the joyous celebration?
Have
you ever felt like this father receiving his prodigal son home? Maybe a friend
or relative came to know the Lord, or returned to a devoted Christian life,
after a time of rebellion.
What
do we learn about Jesus from this passage from the Prodigal Son parable?
Prayer
~ Lord Jesus, I want to be like the father of the Prodigal Son—always watching
and willing to welcome back into the fold anyone who strays away. Strays? No,
this prodigal son deliberately and rebelliously left the farm. I am willing to accept
and embrace those who fall away and then return. In fact, I will rejoice with You
and the angels in Heaven when one sinner repents… In the same way, there is more joy
in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over
ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away! Luke 15:7. Let there be joy in
the house of the Lord!
Verse
of Salvation ~ For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the
humble with salvation. Psalm
149:4 NKJV
© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New King James Version
(NKJV) © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Harper
Collins Publisher. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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