Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 15:22-24

"But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring the fatted calf, [and] kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." — Luke 15:22-24 (ASV)

And put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.

And they began to be merry.

This, again, was a new joy in that family circle. There was joy when the elder brother was born, and joy when the younger son came into the household; but this joy over his return was one that they never would have known if he had not gone away. So, joy can even be gained from sinners. Christ's purpose was to show that, however bad the tax collectors and other flagrant sinners were, and however much they were despised by the Pharisees and scribes, joy could still be gained from them. By their salvation, the very heart of the great Father rejoices.

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

I have never read that they left off being merry, for the conversion of a soul is enough to make eternal joy in the hearts of the righteous.