THE WONDERFUL FATHER
"My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." Luke 15:31-32
This father was supportive and forgiving no matter what sin was committed. He forgave the younger son of his outward, fleshly sins. Everything was wiped clean and he was given a new life. But he also forgave the inward, selfish sins of the older brother.
The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father. "Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends." Luke 15:28-29
The older brother's attitude was self-righteous. He thought he deserved so much more because he had been around for so many years. The older brother's attitude could represent me and others who have been children of God for a long time. We begin to count on our years of service too much. We think we deserve so much more than the sinner who has just repented. But we don't. God loves each of us and blesses each of us separately and differently.
Notice that the father said, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. He did not in any way belittle the service and faithfulness of the older son, his reward was great as well. He held nothing back from the older son.
In this parable, Jesus showed God's attitude toward all sinners. God does not approve of rebellious attitudes or of evil deeds but He restores and forgives all who ask. God forgets all about our past sins, and then he gives us the full rights as His sons and daughters.
I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18
He treats us as if there was never any sin in our lives.
. . . there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10