Americans have taken to hanging up yellow ribbons along with the red, white, and blue. It all began at the outset of Ronald Reagan's presidency, when the hostages were released from Iran. They were welcomed with yellow ribbons fluttering from trees and utility poles in Washington, D.C., and on Main Street USA. The image came from a popular ballad about a wife signalling a welcome to her husband, just released from jail, by tying a yellow ribbon "'round the old oak tree". The song has mercifully faded, but the symbol has caught on. The yellow ribbon has become our sign of a joyful welcome home.
One of the stories that Jesus told gives us the picture of a yellow ribbon tied across the open gate of heaven. Jesus described the joy of heaven in welcoming home a penitent sinner. The familiar story is often called the parable of the prodigal son. Some have said it might better be called the parable of the elder brother, since it ends with his reaction to his brother's homecoming. But the central figure in the story is the father, who would welcome both sons to his feast. Jesus tells the story so that we might understand the welcome of his heavenly Father and join in its joy.
- Edmund Clowney, Sharing the Father's Welcome
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