Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32; Key Verse John 1:12
"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children
of God, even to those who believe in His name."
You've probably heard and read Jesus' parable of the prodigal son many
times, and the emphasis of the lesson is usually on the wayward brother. No
matter how badly he had behaved, no matter how much he did not deserve his
father's forgiveness, he received it anyway.
The one often overlooked is the brother, grumbling in the corner while
the party is in full swing. Many of us, if we're honest, secretly identify
with him. It just doesn't seem fair. There he was, faithful and obedient
all those years, and the "bad seed" got showered with attention just because
he did something good for once.
Jesus was pointing out that both brothers were accepted into the same
grace. The "good" brother did not realize it, but he was surrounded by the
same unconditional love: "My child, you have always been with me, and all
that is mine is yours" (Luke 15:31 NASB). The steady brother had simply
lost this perspective and become mired in a hidden attitude of
self-righteousness and pride.
You can rejoice when someone trapped in sin is welcomed into the
Father's arms. Remember, you were no better when He embraced you with
forgiveness. It should remind you of your own homecoming and fill you with
an eagerness to share the delights of belonging to the Father.
God, I am so thankful that You are my Father and
I can never lose Your eternal love
Seeking His Face, A Daily Devotional
Dr. Charles Stanley
Scripture: Luke 15:11-32 (NLT)
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: "A man had
two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your
estate now, instead of waiting until you die.' So his father agreed to
divide his wealth between his sons. 13 "A few days later this younger son
packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there he
wasted all his money on wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a
great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a
local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. 16 The boy became so hungry that
even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave
him anything.
17 "When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even
the hired men have food enough to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger! 18
I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both
heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.
Please take me on as a hired man."' 20 "So he returned home to his father.
And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming.
Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed
him. 21 His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and
you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.'
22 "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in
the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his
feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must
celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now
returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began. 25
"Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home,
he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants
what was going on.
27 'Your brother is back,' he was told, 'and your father has killed the calf
we were fattening and has prepared a great feast. We are celebrating because
of his safe return.' 28 "The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His
father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, 'All these years I've
worked hard for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me
to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast
with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering
your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the finest calf we
have.' 31 "His father said to him, 'Look, dear son, you and I are very
close, and everything I have is yours.
32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has
come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'"
--
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