From my reading in Luke 15:11-32 in the One Year New Testament.

So The Party Began…

I imagine a huge bash going on in heaven with God and the angels right now. This Easter thousands of people started their new life in Jesus! And that is something to celebrate!

The Parting, Then The Party

The story of the prodigal son is one of the most famous of Jesus’ parables. Jesus is continuing his explanation to the Pharisees about why he prioritizes spending time with tax collectors and “sinners”. Here’s the story.

A man had two sons. One son told his father that he wanted his share of the inheritance and his father agreed. The son moved to a distant land, wasted all the money on wild living, and soon was starving and broke.

In desperation he took a job feeding pigs until he realized that even the servants of his father got better food than he did! He decided to go home in shame. He was hoping his father would let him work the with the other hired hands.

Welcome Home Party

As he was returning his father caught a glimpse of him on the horizon from a long way off and he began running! The father was so filled with love for his son that he embraced him, kissed him and welcomed him home!  The son then humbly repented of his sin. Instead of reprimanding him the father told his workers to bring a robe, a ring, sandals, kill the fattened calf, and throw a huge party! Here’s the reason…

“for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Luke 15:24

Today, Easter Sunday this happened all over the world.

People who were dead received new life in Christ.

Those who were lost stumbled into a church building for one reason or another and were found in Christ.

That is something to celebrate! I love that last phrase, SO THE PARTY BEGAN!

Our father feels this way whenever one sinner repents and turns to Jesus.

The angels rejoice whenever one sinner repents and God along with them! We should be joining the party right?

The Party Pooper

Every party has a pooper thats why we invited the older brother. The older brother was jealous that the foolish younger brother was getting such an extravagant party after being so dumb. It wasn’t fair! So he complained to the father and this is the father’s response.

“Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ ”Luke 15:31–32

It is truly a HAPPY DAY when the dead are raised to life!

I follow some mega churches pastors on Instagram and today I was tempted to be jealous of the thousands of salvations they were having. In those moments I was acting like the older brother. If you are in ministry here’s a very relevant question.

Are you genuinely excited when you hear stories of OTHER ministries growing and reaching a lot of people?

Or are you skeptical, jealous, or wish it was your ministry? 

For those not in full time ministry you can apply this on a micro level.

When your friend leads someone to faith do you get excited with them?

Whenever the lost or found and the dead are raised we should rejoice.

Rejoice with me over the thousands of people young and old, American, Asian, African, European, Australian, White, Black, Hispanic, and many others who were found in Christ today in an Easter service! Let the party begin!

Just think about it…

If you start celebrating now you will have practice for heaven!

If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.