SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:25-32
Jesus adds another dramatic twist to His story.
The good son, loyal to his father, is bitter when the bad son returns.
But notice how he views his relationship with the father: “slaving for you!”
That is exactly how the religious leaders saw God’s laws; as burdens to bear.
He did not feel what the father felt: ‘My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’
Every meal they shared together in that time was a feast; every moment together was a treasure.
The father delighted in his son, but apparently the son did not delight in the father.
The religious leaders, according to Jesus, had missed out on the treasure of being with the Father.
How will I feel when people who wasted their whole lives, and ruined others – while I spent mine serving the kingdom – are welcomed and embraced by the Father?
Do I sense that I am as much a recipient of God’s grace as everyone else needs to be?
Do I appreciate the fellowship I have with the Father right now, which others are missing out on?
Or am I ‘slaving for God’, but not loving and delighting in Him, even as He loves and delights in me?
It’s interesting, I can see myself in both sons.
In either case, it’s humbling to imagine God welcoming and embracing me.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I realize that in all my years in the home with You, I’ve not been appreciating the fellowship that I have with You right now, and with the Father. Help me to pause and enjoy this grace!
Observations/Application
Who is the prodigal?
The older brother unhappy that the lost came home because of –
self interests
unfairness because the inheritance
his brother’s sins
worked out of obligation . not love.
The religious leaders of the day were like that. Their following grew lesser while Jesus’ followers increased.
Jealousy?
But they too were people following the letter of the law and not the spirit. They were following their own man made laws trying to elevate their holiness.
It is only through grace we/I am saved. I can’t work salvation. It is a gift. And I am part of the family. A child of the King. A son of the King. Each day anew I get to enjoy the day in joy for I can serve Him with the activities of the day. I am a servant in His Kingdom ‘working’ for the Lord.’
What a privilege!
Awesome.
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!