Every Christian knows the parable of the prodical son. Jesus is telling this parable about his love for the lost and how happy Heaven is over one lost soul..
OK ...the prodical has asked his father to give him his inheritance early. The Father grants his request. The young man spends it on wild living and wild women. There is now a famine in the land. He is hungry and depressed. Let's look at the Word as we see the brother in the pig pen eatting pig food.
17 "When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, "At home even the hired servants 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 servant."" 20 "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, 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.[b]" 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. 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.
Awesome huh...Total unmerrited grace. The Father has been watching for the return. Romans tells us it's God' kindness that leads usto repentance. The backslidden son is recieved with open arms and NO condemnation. he is treated with honor. There is a big party for him and the best meats. All of heaven rejoices the Bible says when one is made spiritually alive from the dead. All is rejouicing with this father over the good news about his son...well, almost everyone. ..let's read on.
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 fattened calf. 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 slaved 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 fattened calf!"
In the natural, most of us can identify with the older brother. He had been faithful and obedient to his Father and not once did the Father throw a party for him and his friends. And now, the one who has shown dishonor to the Father's name, blew alot of money on sins and spent the time with wild women is given an honorable party like someone who just did something of greatness. What's up with that ?
31 "His father said to him, "Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, 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!""
We don't know if the brother's attitude changes but we do have Jesus explaining the why. It appears our natural..and Christian understanding still and will always need enlightened. We still mix our natural reasoning so many times with the ways of God. My friends I'm writing these attitudes as God has been reteaching me in many areas . It appears the older brother did not fully understand such things as unmerrited favor, the seriousness of bing spiritually dead and how deep God's love and forgiveness goes...He also reminded his faithful son."Everything I have is yours." There is a reward to those who dilently seek Him but let's don't get bent out of shape when God bestows honor and blessings on those who in our eyes don't seem to deserve it. We need to pray to have a Christ like heart and Christ like understanding. God bless, C7
Yep, the son who took the money and ran off was me for sure. I can identify with him all the way for every bone-headed choice I made years ago. But, I have never been able to understand what the father replied the way he did to the son who stayed home. I mean, the son who stayed home was faithful, and yet never had a party thrown for him. So, I can understand why he was upset. Maybe some of you have a better explaination.
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In Christ alone I place my trust.
Christians aren't perfect, just sinners saved by grace.
Love to fish, hunt, ride atv's, music at church, football, family and friends.
I honestly don't know...I will say this...I think we do not understand completely salvation.Think about it..ALL Heaven stops and rejoices when a soul is saved or when one has repented. It may say something about backslidden Christains whether they are really saved or not.According to Jesus ..this "son " was DEAD...This is why the big party and celebration.He is back from the dead.
The other son has more than a party.Read carefully "And everything I have is yours." hey it's like a farm..I may let your friend take a trophy buck..but you beloved ...you own the entire farm and all the bucks.You inherit all. We need not get bent out of shape over one buck or one party.
But on the other hand, I think the older son was justified in being ticked off.
Again it all comes back to the condition of the heart and spirit. If the elder brothers heart was right, why would he be "ticked off"? He was ticked off because he didn't have the Fathers happiness and well being at heart. If he cared about his Father, he would have rejoiced for his Fathers happiness.He also had no compassion for his brother that was lost or he would have rejoiced because he was found. He stayed at home, but for what reason? For what he could get for his personal gain and nothing else. Isn't that evident? Remember the story of the man who hired workers to work in his vineyard? Those who were hired last, received the same as those who were hired first. Those hired first were angry yet they got exactly what they had agreed upon. Had the Father cheated the elder son, by excepting the younger sonback? The elder brother's spiritual condition was worse than the prodical in that the prodical was able to see his lost condition while the eldest was blinded and could not see his need. The prodical repented, what happened to the self righteous elder son?
But on the other hand, I think the older son was justified in being ticked off.
Again it all comes back to the condition of the heart and spirit. If the elder brothers heart was right, why would he be "ticked off"? He was ticked off because he didn't have the Fathers happiness and well being at heart. Good point.If he cared about his Father, he would have rejoiced for his Fathers happiness.Good point He also had no compassion for his brother that was lost or he would have rejoiced because he was found.amen He stayed at home, but for what reason? For what he could get for his personal gain and nothing else. Isn't that evident? Remember the story of the man who hired workers to work in his vineyard? Those who were hired last, received the same as those who were hired first. Those hired first were angry yet they got exactly what they had agreed upon. Had the Father cheated the elder son, by excepting the younger sonback? The elder brother's spiritual condition was worse than the prodical in that the prodical was able to see his lost condition while the eldest was blinded and could not see his need. The prodical repented, what happened to the self righteous elder son? To me Snooky we read the eldest was blessed with everything.The eldest was not condemned...by the Faher. The Father who was more mature.explained to him the why?? God's ways are not like our ways and some things are hard to swallow. Thanks for replying Snooky.
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To me Snooky we read the eldest was blessed with everything.The eldest was not condemned...by the Faher. The Father who was more mature.explained to him the why?? God's ways are not like our ways and some things are hard to swallow.
I think you have a very valid point, Chuck. I dont think the eldest son was in danger of losing anything, I think the Father sought to explain his actions to a confused child. This facet of the parable is incredibly important. Dont all of us face issues that cause us to react the same way as the eldest son? I for one am very grateful that God is understanding about our lack of wisdom.
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When it absolutley, positively has to die....30/06
I'm only posting it because God has been dealing with me lately about the same attitude as the son who was angry. ..and I've been a Christian for 30 years. We are always learning... God bless all for replying, c7
But, I have never been able to understand what the father replied the way he did to the son who stayed home. I mean, the son who stayed home was faithful, and yet never had a party thrown for him. So, I can understand why he was upset.
I see it like this. The boy that stayed home was never out of the fathers blessing. He had at his disposal all that his father had but never used it or thought of it as his. He could have had a party anytime he wanted, used what his father had at anytime.
I think that a lot of Christians today are the same way.We have at our disposal the favors of God. We have everything the Bible says we have and can do what the Bible says we can do, but people like this brother do not see it and do not use it.
This story tells me that we are blessed when Christians, but you can be blessed and never receive a blessing. A blessing such as protection, healing, sound mind, financial wealth, miracles, good friends.
I see it like this. The boy that stayed home was never out of the fathers blessing.AMEN He had at his disposal all that his father had but never used it or thought of it as his. TRIPLE AMEN He could have had a party anytime he wanted, used what his father had at anytime. AMEN preach... it brother..come on now.
I think that a lot of Christians today are the same way.We have at our disposal the favors of God.YES SIR PREACH IT !! We have everything the Bible says we have and can do what the Bible says we can do, but people like this brother do not see it and do not use it. ...that's where you and I agree and disagree...but I love ya a whole lot and will start a new thread on it..Where I PROMICE TO be sensitive to your faith ..I promice.A new thread is started.
This story tells me that we are blessed when Christians, but you can be blessed and never receive a blessing. A blessing such as protection, healing, sound mind, financial wealth, miracles, good friends. DKHammer ..the militry man.
Attitude #2 Prodical son's brother
