“So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.”
Luke 15:20 (NAB)
Some of us were once prodigals, while others might have been the steadfast, faithful older brothers. All prodigals who come home, become older brothers later. I’ve learned that the kind of older brother we become, depends on our ability to recognize who those prodigals are in our lives.
The father in this parable was full of love and compassion, as he ran to meet his son. He sought only to embrace him, not to judge him or even put him to work. Jesus reveals His Father’s heart of love and mercy in this story.
The older son, who has been loyal to his father for years, arrived home after a day’s work, and hears music, dancing and celebration. When he learned that it’s a party for his younger brother, he quickly formed his own judgement about who does or doesn’t deserve a celebration.
I felt a little like that older brother, one time, by choosing who I would or wouldn’t invite to a function at my church. I had my own list of reasons, why I shouldn’t invite certain people. I chose not to invite one person who had a contentious personality and another person who I thought would come for the wrong motives.
I suddenly realized I was no different than the older brother in the story. I was called to invite, not to judge.
I felt the Lord saying to me,
“Just bring them to Me as they are, and I will take it from there.”
Then the truth really hit me that I was once a prodigal daughter myself, so why am I choosing who should or shouldn’t be invited to my Father’s house?
I was ignorant in recognizing who the prodigals were.
I used to think the definition of a prodigal is the homeless addict, sleeping on a park bench, but God showed me that the prodigals are anyone who is running away from God.
They are in all economic sectors, have all types of temperaments and may come with all kinds of motives. They may not have magnetic personalities to attract us to them, and some even repel and push people away.
The Lord is simply asking us to invite them, not to judge them or try to fix them. The great commission is really about doing our part in reuniting the Father with all of His children.
Lord, help us to recognize and show compassion to all the prodigals in our lives, by inviting them home, as we trust you to restore them. Amen