Luke 15

When accused of welcoming and eating with sinners, Jesus told some parables in response.  Through the parable of the one hundred sheep and the ten silver coins, He showed that "there will be...rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents".  

Continuing with that teaching, Jesus masterfully weaves together one of His most beloved and well-known parables, that of the Prodigal Son:

• The picture of the Father who is gracious, compassionate, merciful, loving, and full of grace represents God; and is one that sets Christianity apart from any other religion.  There is none other who would generously allow his child to make his own choices, wait eagerly for his return, forgive readily, lavish upon graciously, and celebrate joyfully the repentant sinner.  
• The younger son turned his life around when he came to his senses as he hit "rock bottom" after wastefully squandering all his wealth and finding himself in need while feeding pigs, considered to be the most unclean animals, and compounded with a famine in the country.  He humbly repented and confessed, and had his relationship with his Father restored
• The older son, like the Pharisees, lived self-righteously and legalistically judging others; yet not recognizing their own need and missed out on the blessings of being in the Father's presence and the joyful celebration over a brother who "was dead and is alive again;..was lost and is found"

While the parables leaves us not knowing what the older son eventually does; history tells us that the religious leaders of the Jews eventually had Jesus crucified.  So, in the story of the parable, the younger son, when asked for his inheritance essentially couldn't wait for his father to be dead; but, he repented and returned.  While the older brother stayed and dutifully "slaved", he would be the one who really kills the father through his anger and rejection.

This passage reminds me that I need to have the compassion for lost sinners that God has.  The parable also illustrates why I must "be careful what I ask for" because God may just give it to me, even if it isn't the wisest choice.   But, I am also encouraged that God can use our darkest moments to turn around for good.