Today reading the story of the Prodigal Son and Father, I wanted to recognize something I hadn't before. I was set on the Father's demands upon His son's return. He demands that His people not only celebrate His son's return, but He demands that he be welcomed with open arms.
The Father of prodigals says, "My son is not bad and now good; he was lost and now found, dead and now alive." If you are a servant of the Father, you will welcome the returning prodigals without even a discussion of their innocence, deservedness, or true motivation. If you are the servant of the Father, you are to welcome and celebrate their return.
Luke 15:24 says, "So they began to celebrate!" What of the Father's servants and children today will be known for their inordinate (and some may say 'wasteful') celebration of returning prodigals?