Reflecting on Luke 15:25-30“All these years I’ve been slaving for you…” (Luke 15:29)
By choosing these words, Jesus raises the question of motivation.
Is this how the Jews felt about obeying God?
Was it a burden for them, a forced submission and not a love relationship?
The son in this story makes it sound like the father didn’t care.
Did the father only love the younger son?
Or did selfishness blind the older son to all the father did do?
The religious leaders were not motivated by love, but by personal ambition.
They were working hard for the reward, not for God and God’s family.
Why do I do the ‘religious’ things I do – pray, go to church, give, serve?
Am I motivated by what is in it for me?
Does my focus on personal blessing make me blind to the many things God does do?
Do I think I deserve more, because I work harder or longer?
Am I bitter or judgmental to those who do not work like I do?
This parable is as much about the older son’s relationship with father.
Am I like the religious leaders, or am I like the father – eager to share the love!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, the older son felt he deserved more and better. Help me to be like the father in this story, eager to share the love and the blessing.
Who was really the prodigal son? Where was the love of the older son – to the father and to his brother? As Christ came to serve, I too must do that. And that can only be truly done in love – love for the Lord and love for one another. We all need to be an instrument of His peace and that can only be done when we become more and more like Jesus, practicing the way.