Every family celebrates. Be it birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or some other significant event, we celebrate. To celebrate is to recognize something special, something unique. To celebrate is to acknowledge the occasion with some social gathering or enjoyable event.

“But the father said to his servants, bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fatted calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again, he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:22-24).

In the Parable of the Prodigal, the father not only received his son back and restored him into the family, he also threw a party! Remember the son’s confession, that he was not worthy to be called his father’s son?  He said to his father, “make me like one of your servants.” All of that faded as he was welcomed back with a grand celebration. Why would you celebrate someone who had so dishonored and rejected you? Because of GRACE.

Humanly speaking we may forgive but at times we don’t forget! We bring it up again, and again. We remind the other person of their sin, of how they failed, of how they disappointed us. And we do it again, and again!

In the story of the Prodigal, the father not only receives back his son, he celebrates! He throws a party to acknowledge and proclaim that his son, once dead, is alive and restored! The father never mentions the squandered inheritance. There is no lecture on how his son had hurt and disappointed him, his family or the community. There was a festive atmosphere. There was joy. There was a party – “for this my son was dead and is alive again!”

Grace not only restores, it celebrates. When we come to recognize, and own our sin, and in repentance return to God the Father, He does not see our sin He sees the blood of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, and he restores us as sons and daughters and there is a celebration.

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7).

Grace allows us to celebrate despite our sin and lostness. Grace allows us to celebrate because of who we are in Jesus. The pain of sin, the rejection of the Father fades as the celebration begins. The restoration complete, a new life and a new identity in Christ given!

Celebrating God’s Grace!

Rev. Bill Allan
AGC President