Reflections

“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.  And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.  And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’  But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.”

“But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’  And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'”  Luke 15: 25-32

In the story of the Prodigal Son Jesus tells us how the younger son had taken the money his father had for him and spent it all.  Then when he had nothing left, he then went back to his father to ask for forgiveness.  The father was so happy to have his son return home he embraced his son and rejoiced he was home.  The father also had a party to welcome the prodigal son home.  Unfortunately, the older brother, who remained with his father, was not as happy.  He was hurt and offended that after all the trouble his brother caused he gets a party.  The older brother wanted justice; he wanted to see his younger brother pay for everything he did wrong to the family.  However, the father was just so happy to see his son home and the past no longer mattered.  Once he was lost and now he was found.  The father did not discount the loyalty of the older son and said everything the father had belonged to him, but his young son was now home and he wanted to rejoice.

Many times as Christians we feel like the older brother in regards to unbelievers.  Many of us have been faithful in our walk with God, and sometimes hate to see those who have done God wrong suddenly say they are sorry and get saved and seem to get away with some pretty serious sins.  We must remember God is no respecter of persons and want all to come to salvation.  We must take the position of the Father and also look forward to the lost ones coming home.  We should rejoice the way heaven does when someone gives their life to the Lord no matter what they have done.

The older son would have been so much happier if he joined the celebration of his brother’s homecoming, and so should we.  We were all once lost and dead in our sin, but now we are made alive in Jesus Christ and we should beckon the lost ones home because this will make our Father in Heaven very happy.  Remember what it was like when you were found by the Father and He welcomed you home?  We should want every person to experience the same love and forgiveness.