When a sinful son repented and came back home to his Father, the Father ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him with great joy. He forgave him even before the son confessed, and he celebrated that his son was lost and found, was dead, and is alive again. Jesus used the parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-32) to teach us the greatness of our Heavenly Father. No matter who you are, God loves you unconditionally. There is a massive celebration in Heaven, God's house, when we repent from our sins and ask for the Father's forgiveness. 
While his Father celebrated his brother's return, the older brother didn't forgive his brother and was bitter about it. As Jesus demonstrated, his older brother symbolized the Pharisees, who were angry and resentful that sinners were being welcomed into the Kingdom of God. It must have seemed to the Pharisees that after so much service and sacrifice for God and for so long, they deserved more love than the sinners who were far worse off than themselves. Neither the Pharisees nor we are different in that we allow our self-righteousness to prevent rejoicing when others come to Jesus. As brothers and sisters to our fellows in church, we should celebrate in great joy when one of God's lost children is found. Our life is not about us; it's about what God can do through us. Obedience is great, but repentance is better. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and the source of joy is the Lord's amazing grace.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for Your grace and forgiveness if I have done anything that displeased You. Thank You for forgiving me and embracing me before I confessed. Help me understand the implications of Jesus' teachings for our lives so I can become more like Him. Keep me humble and steer me away from pride and self-righteousness. Thank You for Your unconditional love and amazing grace. 
In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.