“But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)

Jesus told a story about a father with two sons. Many of you reading already know this as the Parable of the prodigal son.

What I love about this story is that there is something for each of us.

Some of us are the prodigals. We’ve wandered far from home, far from our father, and far from our true calling. We have gotten caught up in the pleasures of the world and ended up empty and lonely and even hitting rock bottom. With a renewed appreciation and understand we swallow our pride to go back to our father’s house.

Others are the older sibling—the one who stayed with the father and worked hard while his younger brother squandered his money away. We are the ones with a sense of duty and obligation, the responsible ones who obey the rules and get the job done. And when the partier comes home to a warm welcome from our father, we struggle to rejoice. We become bitter and resentful not only towards our brother but even our father. Shouldn’t our little brother be punished for his betrayal? Why does he get special treatment after he walked away?

Sure we know our Father’s rules but we do not understand his heart?

There may be times in our lives we’re like the prodigal and other times our attitude is more like the old brother’s, but the truth is we are all called to be like the father.

This isn’t just a story of a boy who wanted to experience the wealth of this world or a brother with the heart of a Pharisee. It’s the parable of the compassionate father.

He loved his sons and showed them grace and forgiveness in different ways. He embraced and celebrated the prodigal who felt so unworthy. But even in the midst of the celebration, he left the party to affirm and encourage his eldest son, while gently correcting his attitude.

Our heavenly Father’s love for us is beyond measure. When we are far from home, he eagerly awaits and yearns for our return. And while we are still far from his doorstep, he rushes to meet us and walk with us the rest of the way. In the same way, he has such compassion and understanding for those who have trouble welcoming the prodigals. And he will walk us into the party too. We are in his family and our Father loves all his children.