Rejoice for the Lost Soul That Has Been Found

I will be reflecting on the Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15 vs 11-31). It speaks of a younger son asking his father for his share of the estate. He went off to a distant country and there squandered his wealth. A famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. He hired out himself to feed pigs as a means of survival. One day he came to his senses and decided it would be better for him to go home as a hired servant. On his way home, his father saw him from afar and ran to meet him and welcome him as a son and not as a hired servant. A celebration was then held in honour of the younger son. The father reckoned:

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found- Luke 15 vs 24

While the celebration was in full swing, the eldest son came home and enquired about what was going on. The older brother was angry and did not want to celebrate. He reasoned that he had been there all along and he had never even been given a goat to celebrate with his friends, but his brother who had lived riotously was somehow being rewarded.

The contrasting attitude of the eldest son and father stands out. The father was excited that his son had come home- having been gone away from home and he was now assured that he was alive. Then there is the attitude of the older son, who was displeased that his brother’s return was being celebrated.

The father in this story reflects the attitude of God towards us. No matter how far we have strayed, he is always willing to welcome us home with open arms, to celebrate and rejoice over us. On the contrary, the eldest attitude to the return of his youngest brother was one of contempt. At that moment, he was not able to look beyond his self to see the significance of the event that was taking place.

The attitude of the eldest brother made me wonder, how many of us would openly or secretly behave in this manner. Whether we do it secretly or openly, God knows by the way. Are we truly happy when a lost sheep comes home to God? If not, I challenge us to change our attitude and look at it from the perspective of God. Many of us were once lost in a world of sin, but God welcomed us home with open arms and rejoiced over us finding our rightful place in his kingdom. Just has how others rejoiced with you, rejoice with those who have found their way home. Maybe you know someone who has momentarily strayed from the presence of God, encourage, and pray for them and when they return home, rejoice with them for once they were lost but now, they are found.

When someone is lost or thought of as dead, we weep, but when they are found, or they are alive we rejoice. Unfortunately, the eldest son did not immediately align with this context. When God rejoices over a returned lost soul, it does not mean he loves the sheep in his presence any less.

I hope that we have the same heart that God has. May our hearts be broken and yearn for the return of the lost souls. And when they return, may we rejoice over them.

Dear Lord,

I thank you for today, I am grateful for your love and your mercies. I am appreciative of the fact that no matter how far we have strayed, or how we devalue ourselves on our return, you are always willing to welcome us home with open arms. For us that have strayed from you, I pray that we will run back to you unashamed knowing that You will welcome us home and rejoice over us. Your word even states that the angel rejoices in heaven over one sinner who repents. I also pray that as a people we will rejoice when a lost soul comes back to you. Just as how we would be happy if we found some lost possession, may we have that same energy and attitude for our brothers and sisters. May we not be a stumbling block in the way of those that are seeking to come back home.  Moreover, give us a heart like thine- so our heart can be touched by the things that move your heart God. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.