Luke 15:25 “Now the older son was in the field: and when he came near the house, the sounds of music and dancing came to his ears.” (BBE)
The parable of the Prodigal Son is a story explaining what happens in Heaven when someone, who has left God, becomes a believer and follower of God again. Most of us have heard about how the father received the son, but the part about the music and and dancing often gets overlooked.
Dancing has gotten a bad reputation among religious people, and for a good reason. Dancing has become something that is suggestive, sensual, with the focus being on the dancer. The kind of dancing Jesus was talking about is an expression of joy and praise to our Heavenly Father. It is a dance that would be pleasing to Him, with the focus on God, not on the dancer. In some cultures these dances are still being done. They are a beautiful, physical, expression of joy. I do not believe God ever intended us to repress our expressions of joy and praise. When we repress the physical expression of joy, we end up killing joy completely. We were created with the ability to physically express our joy. Little children do it naturally when they are happy or excited.
The mind and body need to be allowed to dance. When a person is physically praising God their mind believes what the body is doing. The mind believes it is happy. The body responds to the joy the mind feels and the heart responds as do other parts of the body. It is a very healthy response and very good for the health of the person. There is, however, a time and place for such expressions. We're cautioned in Romans to be careful of offending another person with our beliefs and actions. Therefore, when in a place where such displays are offensive to others, it is best to wait until we're somewhere else to praise God with a dance that would be pleasing to Him. Always the focus on our Lord and Savior.
Luke 15:7 “I say to you that even so there will be more joy in heaven when one sinner is turned away from his wrongdoing, than for ninety-nine good men, who have no need of a change of heart.” (BBE)
Heaven is joyful whenever anyone chooses to give his heart to God. But it is a painful thing to any family when one turns away from the family. God loves all of His creation. Every person was created by God and is loved as a child of the Father. When someone turns away from God, wanting nothing to do with Him, it makes all of Heaven sad to see that person walk away. Therefore, when that person realizes his error and desires to live as a child of God all of Heaven celebrates. Should not the same celebration happen here on earth also? Where is the feasting, music, and joy when someone comes home again to God? Way too many churches quietly accept the person through baptism or some other means, but leave out the celebration. A lost brother or sister is no longer lost! They have returned to the family! We know we will be able to enjoy life on this earth with them, and also enjoy all of eternity in the next life with them! There is every reason to celebrate! We have a wonderful reason to express our joy and praise to God physically. Let the music and dancing begin!
Don't waste your life just trying to get through one day after the other. Find the joy, welcome home the lost, and express your joy in a dance of praise for God!