When the Prodigal Comes Home
Ed Whittlesey
How do you react when a brother or sister in your
physical or spiritual family confesses sin in their life and
repents of it? While the world around us often seeks
revenge and can be very good at holding a grudge, the
Lord teaches us something very different – in fact, quite
the opposite. Jesus teaches forgiveness of one who
repents without placing a limitation on the number of
times we should forgive (Luke 17:4). Also, we know
that upon repentance, our sins are no longer held
against us by God (Acts 3:19, Heb. 8:12). What then
are we to do and how should we act toward a loved one
who repents? One of Jesus’ parables beautifully
portrays the actions of a loving father who warmly
forgives and welcomes back his sinful son. Let’s
observe some of the characteristics of the father in the
parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15).
The first is the father’s compassion as evidenced in
Luke 15:20. He sees his son’s condition (destitute and
wretched in appearance) and pities him. Feelings of
deep compassion and love move the father because of
his sincere desire for the spiritual well-being of his son.
As a result, he immediately runs to embrace and kiss
his son and welcome him home. The father’s desire to
renew their relationship, verse 22, by ordering his
servants to dress his son in a robe, a ring, and shoes
serves as proof of the concern and love he had for his
son. In this story, Jesus so perfectly describes the
compassion of God toward His children today. Even
David acknowledges the Lord as “...gracious and full of
compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy” (Psalm
145:8). What a wonderful example of the compassion
we should have toward a repentant family member.
Another notable characteristic of the father is his
readiness and willingness to forgive. The father recognizes
his son from a distance and runs to receive him
(verse 20). Notice that immediately upon the son’s
confession of sin, the father forgives him. Nowhere is
there any indication that he questions his son’s sincerity
or motives. Instead, because of the unconditional
love for his son, he readily and willingly forgives him
without hesitation. Again, David recognizes this characteristic
of God in Psalm 86:5, “For You, Lord, are
good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to
all those who call upon You.” Jesus and Stephen serve
as great examples, when before their deaths they
willfully implore with the Lord to forgive their adversaries.
Through a heart of compassion we will be drawn
to forgive those whom we love and care for.
Finally, the father’s rejoicing over his son’s repentance
is exhibited in verses 23-24, “...‘let us eat and be
merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he
was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”
The father and his servants joyfully celebrate the return
of the sinful child. God so infinitely values and loves His
children, that He rejoices and celebrates a penitent
sinner’s return unto Him. In the preceding two parables
of Luke 15, Jesus illustrates the joyous reaction over
something (of value) lost that has been found. Verses
6-7, “...Rejoice with me...”, and “...there will be more joy
in heaven over one sinner who repents than over
ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”
Likewise, verses 9-10, “...Rejoice with me...”, and
“...there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over
one sinner who repents.” With a ready and willing heart
to forgive, we too, can rejoice with the angels over the
repentance of a loved one.
In conclusion, there are undoubtedly certain circumstances
which are more difficult than others, but
we must still possess a heart of forgiveness. Though
the stakes may be high, and the consequences of sin
may be overwhelming, it is our duty to forgive a family
member who repents. We can clearly see the value
God places on each soul, even the sin-sick soul. It is
His desire that all people everywhere be saved (1 Tim.
2:4), and we know there is great rejoicing in heaven
over a repentant sinner (Luke 15:7). If God receives
sinners, and angels rejoice at their return, then we
should most assuredly do the same. Notice how the
attributes we have observed naturally lend themselves to
each other. Proper compassion and love will enable us
to be ready and willing to forgive. Upon forgiveness, we
can then rejoice with God and the angels that our brother
or sister has renewed their commitment to obey God.
May God bless us as we strive to emulate and practice
each of these characteristics in our own lives.