It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found. – Luke 15:32
My brothers and I were fans of comic books growing up. I was always much more inclined to the tv shows or movies depicting the comics, but my brothers collected comics, cards, built sets, and just enjoyed the storylines. We interacted with both DC and Marvel comics and the shows and movies that followed. Even to this day, we enjoy the new iterations of these comics being shown through cinema such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Batman series, etc… I was recently watching through the X-Men movie series beginning with the “old” ones which first launched in 2000 and working my way chronologically through the storyline. There was a moment, however, in one of the more recent movies that has caused me to meditate upon a parable we all know so well, The Prodigal Son. Professor Charles Xavier, founder and leader of the X-Men, in reference to a character who was once a friend and now a foe, says, “Just because someone stumbles and loses their way does not mean they are lost forever.”
When I heard this, I marveled (no pun intended) at the reality of the grace and loving kindness of God. We see this tremendous love on display in the story of the prodigal son. If we are honest with ourselves as we read the parable, we can likely resonate with both brothers depending upon what season of life we may be experiencing. We might think about our lives, attitudes, and actions as we lived a life full of sin, debauchery, selfish ambition, greed, and all other pursuits this world has to offer. Or we might, again if we are honest, think about bitterness, envy, and jealousy we’ve harbored due to the success of another that we do not think is so deserving or worthy of such accolades or recognition. The beauty of this parable is that we see the mercy and grace of the father extended to both sons who on the surface are on two opposite ends of the spectrum. As the father celebrates the return of a son, another son harbors anger at such a response because of a perceived life of faithfulness. Yet, no matter what, we see the father extend his hand of mercy, grace, and love and we see this in the culminating verse of Luke 15:32. The father doesn’t just say, “I’m glad my son is back…” nor does he do as the prodigal son thought which was to make him a hired hand. No, the father throws a celebration beyond all measure, and he counsels the other son by saying, “It was fitting…” to do so.
Wow! The immeasurable riches of God’s grace in Christ Jesus that he would find it fitting to celebrate when a prodigal returns is an incredible truth! This truth compels us to press on, to keep going, to continue sharing, to employ those in our sphere to come to Jesus. No one is too far gone, no one is outside the reach of Christ, no one is wandering lost that cannot be found … no one. Remember, just because someone stumbles and loses their way does not mean they are lost forever.
To God be the glory!
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