Word@Work Luke247 - Luke 15:25-32
Published: Thu, 12/02/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
RELIGIOUS PRIDE REJECTS REPENTANCE
Luke 15:25-32
"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' " 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " (NIV)
The parable of the 'prodigal son' is now overshadowed by the grumpy 'loyal son'. Of the two lads, the younger chose to waste his father's inheritance while the older son remained working on the farm. But his reaction to his younger brother's return was anger and contempt. He was intensely jealous of the extravagance of the love which was showered on the one who did not deserve it. Arguing with his father, the older son exposed his attitude of grudging compliance and protested that he never had any celebration with his friends. The wise father responded that the whole estate belonged to the whole family; but for one who disowned his family and then returned, a celebration was in order - as a gift to show that he was fully restored to the family. The older son was invited to join in, but the story does not tell his final reaction.
The parable was all about God's grace to repentant sinners. The older son represented religious Israel who did all the right things but had the wrong motives. They could not see any way to God's favour apart from their slavery to the law, and they resented the way that Jesus freely welcomed sinners. As the church became established, that mind-set continued to obstruct faith in Jesus. Since then, the church has had a tendency to be legalistic in different ways, crushing the life out of the gospel and seeking to control believers by rules which Jesus would not approve.
Today, most people will profess belief in God, and many will say that they believe in Jesus. However, it is important to grasp that salvation is God's free gift and is not granted on the basis of good works - it is by God's grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Those who cannot accept this are like the older son, who could not see over the horizon of his own merit. Those who are born again by the Sprit of God are like the younger son, who admit their sins and make repentance a normal part of their discipleship. But remember that it is not our job to judge others, or to assess their suitability for God's favour. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). "God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."" (2 Timothy 2:19).
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for your immense love towards sinners. Thank You that all who repent and confess their worthlessness apart from You are welcomed, received, and restored to full relationship with You. Please forgive me when I make judgements about others, somehow assuming that they are not worthy of Your grace. Help me to value the grace I have received through Jesus Christ's sacrifice, so that I will honour Your kindness to me each day and be glad to see others receive His love too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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The parable of the 'prodigal son' is now overshadowed by the grumpy 'loyal son'. Of the two lads, the younger chose to waste his father's inheritance while the older son remained working on the farm. But his reaction to his younger brother's return was anger and contempt. He was intensely jealous of the extravagance of the love which was showered on the one who did not deserve it. Arguing with his father, the older son exposed his attitude of grudging compliance and protested that he never had any celebration with his friends. The wise father responded that the whole estate belonged to the whole family; but for one who disowned his family and then returned, a celebration was in order - as a gift to show that he was fully restored to the family. The older son was invited to join in, but the story does not tell his final reaction.
The parable was all about God's grace to repentant sinners. The older son represented religious Israel who did all the right things but had the wrong motives. They could not see any way to God's favour apart from their slavery to the law, and they resented the way that Jesus freely welcomed sinners. As the church became established, that mind-set continued to obstruct faith in Jesus. Since then, the church has had a tendency to be legalistic in different ways, crushing the life out of the gospel and seeking to control believers by rules which Jesus would not approve.
Today, most people will profess belief in God, and many will say that they believe in Jesus. However, it is important to grasp that salvation is God's free gift and is not granted on the basis of good works - it is by God's grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Those who cannot accept this are like the older son, who could not see over the horizon of his own merit. Those who are born again by the Sprit of God are like the younger son, who admit their sins and make repentance a normal part of their discipleship. But remember that it is not our job to judge others, or to assess their suitability for God's favour. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). "God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."" (2 Timothy 2:19).
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for your immense love towards sinners. Thank You that all who repent and confess their worthlessness apart from You are welcomed, received, and restored to full relationship with You. Please forgive me when I make judgements about others, somehow assuming that they are not worthy of Your grace. Help me to value the grace I have received through Jesus Christ's sacrifice, so that I will honour Your kindness to me each day and be glad to see others receive His love too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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