Philip Yancey shared this in Rumours of Another World, pp.154-55:Living in Colorado, I climb mountains. Colorado has 54 mountains rising above 14,000 ft and every summer I climb some of them. On a summer weekend in the mountains, I see casual hikers who have no idea what they are doing. In sandals, shorts, and T-shirts, carrying a single container of water, they start up a trail at mid-morning. They have no map, no compass, and no rain gear. They also have no apparent knowledge of the lightning storms that roll in many summer afternoons, making it imperative to summit before noon and head for the safety of the timberline (the elevation in a mountainous region above which trees do not grow).
My neighbour, who volunteers for Alpine Rescue, has told me hair-raising stories of tourists who must be rescued from certain death after wandering off a trail, falling, or simply being exposed to a sudden hailstorm or 30-degree drop in temperature. Nevertheless, regardless of the circumstances, Alpine Rescue always responds to a call for help. Not once have they lectured a hapless tourist, “Well, since you obviously ignored the most basic rules of the wilderness, you’ll just have to sit here and bear the consequences. We won’t assist you.”
Their mission is rescue, and so they pursue every needy hiker in the wilderness, no matter how undeserving. A whistle, a cry, a flashing mirror, a bonfire, an “SOS spelled out in pine branches, a message of distress from a cellphone – any of these signals will cause Alpine Rescue to mobilize teams of medically trained searchers.I have come to see the central message of the Bible, too, as one of rescue. In the book of Romans, Paul takes pains to point out that none of us ’deserve’ God’s mercy and none of us can save ourselves. Like a stranded hiker, all we can do it call for help.
A hardened park ranger could look at the efforts of Alpine Rescue as indulging the bad habits of irresponsible tourists. Shouldn’t they spend their energy instead handing out rewards to hikers who follow the rules? (“God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers,” prayed the Pharisees.)
When I posed such a question to my neighbour, she looked at me uncomprehending. “But our business is rescue!” she said. “Do you expect us to leave any hiker stranded in the wilderness? I don’t care who they are – they need help.” (“In the same way,” said Jesus, “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”)
… from Philip Yancey, Rumours of Another World, pp.154-55

Reading this story from Dr. Luke, it is interesting to see the audience to which Jesus shares this parable. This story is the last story that Jesus tells in response to complaints by the religious leaders of the day.

“All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!”” (Luke 15:1–2, HCSB)

You know, many churches are like these religious leaders when it is about some sinners. When Dr. Luke describes sinners here, he is talking about the outcast, the poor, the people who the religious people did not want to deal with. They are people like you – who have had a hard life.

Some of you may have been thinking: “You know I don’t want to go to a church which is like that.” “They are a bunch of hypocrites.” “They are not real.”

My wife and I flew to Germany this spring twice to see her family before her father died. Both times we flew through Atlanta airport. We got off the plane from Northwest Arkansas and went through the security check and then spent some time while we waited on our plane. A large battalion of soldiers was arriving from Afghanistan. As they passed by, a voice on the intercom encouraged everyone to support the troops by welcoming them home with a round of applause.

In the parable, Jesus talks about the son who left home and sinned. On his return, the son says: “I have sinned.”

“I have sinned.”

This phrase appears eight times in Scripture…

•     “I have sinned,” said Pharaoh (Exodus 9:27).

•     “I have sinned,” said Balaam (Numbers 22:34).

•     “I have sinned,” said Saul (1 Samuel 15:24).

•     “I have sinned,” said Judas (Matthew 27:4).

Each of these men acknowledged their sin, but none repented from it. But there are four more.…

•     “I have sinned,” said Job (Job 7:20).

•     “I have sinned,” said Achan (Joshua 7:20).

•     “I have sinned,” said David (2 Samuel 12:13).

•     “I have sinned,” said the prodigal.

And each repented. It’s not enough just to say, “I have sinned.”

People are going to come here broken, and we wait for them to change direction and head toward the Father.

Let’s be ready to welcome people who come and say: “I have sinned” and I want to change my direction. Changing my direction in life is only going to happen when I say and begin to realize that I need someone who can help me. That Person is Jesus Christ. No one here can overcome their addiction without the power of Jesus Christ in their life.

But more importantly, everyone here needs a safe place to come where they can gather, celebrate victories, and share in their struggles.

The story ends with a party, with a celebration. If we are truly going to welcome people home to loving arms of God the Father, then we need part of their lives and join in the party.

The older son was jealous and hated that the Father was willing to forgive. When Jesus spoke these words, it was a criticism of the local religious people.

The same can be said today of the church. The church is not doing a good enough job helping people who need forgiveness. We have become like religious leaders who only care about the show and how we look in front of others.

I want to challenge all of you today: We have an opportunity here. We have a chance to help others who are looking for help. Like the prodigal son, they know what they did was wrong. Like the prodigal son, they are coming here for help. Are we going be like the older son, who is jealous, hateful, and not willing to welcome his brother? Or are we going to be like the Father, who is willing run to the son before he shows up, throw a big party and help him get back on his feet?

Let’s welcome people home!