There is one good thing about the distant country to which the younger brother travels - “no one gave him anything.” There were no well-meaning enablers that enabled the younger brother to live comfortably apart from his Father, and so when things got bad enough, HE CAME TO HIMSELF. He RECOGNIZED what he had lost IN HIMSELF by abandoning his Father, and he humbled himself to ask for forgiveness. He no longer felt ENTITLED to the blessings of his Father, but instead was willing to EARN them. He made his way back to the farm, with only the HOPE of his Father's acceptance by GRACE.
And the Father's grace was overwhelming! The Father saw him FAR OFF, which means he was looking down the road frequently, hoping for his return. The Father IGNORED his offer to be a hired hand, and restored his son FULLY. The Father REJOICED, in the way only parents who have thought their child was dead, and their child is found to be alive, can understand. And the Father PLEADED with the older brother to ACCEPT the younger brother, despite his resentment. It was like the younger brother never left except for ONE BIG DIFFERENCE – the ATTITUDE of the younger brother. Before he left, the younger brother may have responded to the Father out of fear, or duty, or self-interest, or comfort, or habit, and those weren't a strong enough bond to hold them together. Having come to himself and having received GRACE, the younger brother can now respond to the Father out of LOYALTY and LOVE.
God's overwhelming grace for the younger brother, is for US as well. The Father sees us far off, and brings about circumstances in our lives so that we COME TO OURSELVES and start on our way back. The Father restores us FULLY as his children, through the death and resurrection of his son Jesus. The Father REJOICES in our return, as only a parent can. And the Father PLEADS with us to accept each other, and put an end to resentment.
The Pharisees who first heard this story of the prodigal son didn't get this concept, and so they ENABLED the tax collectors and sinners to live comfortably apart from God, by casting them out of polite society where contact with God-believers was common. We have the amazing good news of God's overwhelming grace, that we can share with others who have put distance between themselves and God, so that they can come to themselves, and return home.
Gracious God, we repent of those times where we enabled people to live apart from you, by our actions and our attitudes. Strengthen our bond with you, and help us to have your joy in welcoming your prodigal sons and daughters, in Jesus name, amen.