"It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad." (v. 32).
Have we understood how God rejoiced when we returned to Him as repentant prodigals? Luke 15 is given to teach us the joy of God in the blessing of men. It is infinitely more than the meeting of our need; it is the gratification of His heart. If the sinner's need were the measure of Christ's work, then human joys would suffice; but when divine love is the measure, the Father's house and the joys that are there are alone sufficient. It is the Father's pleasure that His house should be filled with gladness. This my son "was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." When our eyes are opened to see this side of the gospel, we begin to understand how cordial and full is our reception.