Let’s read Luke 15:25-32 (NIV) & Psalm 27:4 (NIV) in tandem
“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.’”
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple”
When the younger son came to his senses and decided to return to the father, he did not expect the father to accept him back as his beloved son. He wanted to work for his father and remain as a servant. But, because the father loved his son unconditionally, he accepted him back as a “son” and not just as a “servant”. The father did not hesitate to give his son the “best”, even after his terrible past of arrogance and extravagant spending. The father called for a huge celebration and wanted his repentant-son to look and be “outstanding” from all the rest within the household, because this son who was once dead is now alive, who was once lost is now found. The younger son humbly melted into his father’s priceless embrace and accepted the free gift of re-birth and the spirit of sonship.
On the other hand – the elder brother never understood his father’s love, though he was with him all this while. The father had his “best” instore for both his sons. But, the elder brother was not humble enough to align with his father’s line of thinking. So he (the elder brother) became angry and refused to go in….! What an irony that the elder brother was even ready to forego the fellowship with his father so easily succumbing to pride and selfishness.
Who do you identify yourself with today?
Are you like the younger son who had lost all hope? – come to your senses, choose the way of humility and true-repentance and be sure to be accepted by your loving Heavenly Father through Christ. Seek to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of your life…!
Are you like the elder son who failed to be in unison with his father’s mind & heart? – humble yourself and cry out for wisdom & understanding (Proverbs 2:3-5) and in your relationship with your fellow brother/sister have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5-11).
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