RETURNING HOME PT. 4
RETURNING HOME – Part 4
“There Will Be A Celebration”
Luke 15:22-23
“But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:”
By the time the son made his way back home, he had already prepared himself for less. Less position. Less privilege. Less identity. In his mind, he wasn’t coming back as a son—just a servant hoping for mercy.
But the father had something entirely different in mind.
Before the son could get used to shame and regret, the father called for a robe. Not just any robe, the best one. Before he could hang his head in failure, a ring was placed on his hand, this restored identity.
Shoes were put on his feet, something most servants didn’t wear, but sons did. And then came the celebration.
You see, This is what returning home looks like in the eyes of the Father.
It’s not a quiet acceptance. It’s not some kind of reluctant forgiveness.
It’s not a probation period to “earn your way back.” Or hiding in the shadows,
It is a full, joyful, undeniable celebration.
Even though there may have been resistance along the way… even though not everyone understood… there were others who had been waiting, praying, and believing for that very moment.
That’s something we don’t always see when we’re away.
While we’re out there trying to figure life out on our own, there are people back home, spiritually speaking, who are lifting our name up before the Lord.
Praying for your return. Hoping for the day you walk back through the door.
And when that day comes, they are more than ready to rejoice.
Because they understand what it took to get there.
The ones who usually rejoice the most are the ones who have walked that same road.
They know what the valley feels like. They know what it means to come to yourself. They know how heavy the steps can feel when you first turn around and head back home.
And they also know how good it feels to be received again.
The father didn’t celebrate because the son had done everything right.
He celebrated because the son had come home.
That’s an important truth. Heaven rejoices over The Return.
Jesus said in Luke 15:6-7
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Think about that, the Lord Himself rejoicing over you.
So yes, there may be resistance. There may be struggles along the way. But don’t lose sight of this truth:
The Father never stopped Loving you,
you have changed in ways that will only make you stronger,
And even though there may be obstacles along the way, There will be a Glorious celebration when you finally Return Home.
Not because you made it perfectly… but because you made it back.
And when you do, you’ll find that grace is greater than your past, love is stronger than your failure, and the Father’s joy is waiting right where you left it.
