Dear Christian friends:

When my son or daughter gives a birthday party for one of their children, and invites all our family to come for the birthday party there are perhaps six or seven of our grandchildren there all almost the same age. When it is time to light the candles on the cake and sing, "Happy Birthday to You," and then give many presents to the one child whose birthday we celebrate, I look at some of the other grandchildren and see that they are not celebrating, and are not happy for the one who gets all the attention and presents. They seem jealous. Perhaps you have noticed that also in your family.

We perhaps excuse the children if they are jealous of one another and think, "They will grow-up and learn to love one another in the future." But often that does not happen. Often we adults are jealous of one another and not happy if a brother or sister has a better job, or car or house than we have. I am sorry to say it, but sometimes even church members, brothers and sisters in Jesus are jealous of one another.

That happens because we love power and a high position and do not really love our brother or sister. Here in our text, which is the Gospel Lesson for today, Jesus calls us to live differently, not the same as unbelievers. Jesus calls us to celebrate our Father's love, which He gives to all of us sinners.


Neither of the two sons in our text celebrated their father's love. The younger son escaped his father's love. He went to a far away country seeking pleasure living. (John 15:12-13) He wasted the money he had inherited from his father. When his money was all spent he must get shameful work, feeding pigs, and he must eat the same food as the pigs.

The older son did not leave home. He stayed with the father and worked hard on the farm. He seemed to love his father, but really in his heart he did not love his father. He was selfish, proud and self-righteous, thinking himself better than his brother.

That is the reason he refused to come into the house and join the celebration when the younger son came home. He refused to celebrate his father's love and the repentance of his younger brother. (John 15:25-30)

Perhaps we are a famous sinner, the same as the younger son. We perhaps forsake our heavenly Father's love and His commands and join in sinful pleasure living, satisfying the hungers of our sinful hearts, the same as many people live today: They live for eating, sex, and don't serve God or thank God and don't obey His command about marriage and family. Everyone can see that we are a sinner. When anyone forsakes the heavenly Father's love he is spiritually dead. The younger son in Jesus' story had died, spiritually. (John 15:32)

Perhaps we are a secret sinner, the same as the older son. Many people think we are good, and are not sinning because they can't see our hidden bad thoughts. Many things can tempt us to forsake our Father's love although we are church members: worry about our position in life, worry about money and other earthly things, being jealous of other people whom God blesses more, and feeling proud because we are not a famous sinner like the younger son in the text.

Like the older son, we perhaps become displeased with our heavenly Father thinking He is not fair; and feel bitter against Him when He shows mercy and forgives famous sinners. We can be spiritually dead, although we are a church member.

But we need not despair or give-up hope. Our Father continues to love us and waits for us to come again to Him and accept His love whether we are a famous sinner or a secret sinner. Our Father's love for all his children is without limit. This we learn from Jesus' story here about the two sons.

The father loved his younger son although he had done gross sins against him. The younger son, when he found himself in deep trouble and poverty, woke up and repented. He decided to go home to his father and confess his sins. His father welcomed him back and accepted him with open arms and kisses. Then the father gave him a new robe, new shoes, a ring and prepared a large feast and celebration. (John 15:17-24)

The father loved his older son, also. Although he was self-righteous, proud and jealous and bitter against him. When the son refused to join in the celebration the father entreated him to come into the house and join in the celebration. (John 15:31-32) Through Jesus Christ, our heavenly Father loves us sinners, the same as the father here loved both his sons.

No matter which son we are: famous sinner or secret sinner, our Father calls us back to Himself. He sends His Holy Spirit, working through His Word, calling us to repent and believe in Jesus Christ for resurrection and new life, also eternal life. In this way we come home to our Father's house. Then we will celebrate our Father's wonderful love.

Like the younger son, we celebrate our Father's love by accepting it in repenting and in faith, trusting only in Jesus Christ for our salvation. We know and remember with pain that we are not worthy to be His sons, but rejoice that He loves us, forgives us and names us His sons again! He gives us Jesus' pure, white robe to put on, and a ring for our finger and a crown for our head.

We don't know if the older son, repented and went with his father into the house to celebrate his brother's coming home. Jesus does not tell us if he did that or not. We hope he did. If he finished repenting he would rejoice and celebrate his Father's love for himself and for his younger brother. He will not feel bitter or jealous anymore. He will feel happy his brother has repented and come back home.

We, also, celebrate our Father's love for us and for all others, whether famous sinners or secret sinners. And we take-up our Father's work, His chief concern, seeking those who are straying, lost and spiritually dead. We invite them to repent and come home.

God's love for us is without limit. He calls us to celebrate His love, not only on Sunday here in church or in our daily, holy living, but also by sharing His responsibility for straying and lost sinners. Father, mercy us, help us celebrate Your great love; help us seek the lost brother or sister.

Amen.