Luke 15:25-30 NKJV
"Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. [27] And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' [28] "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. [29] So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. [30] But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'
For those who have followed Jesus closely from a very young age - those who have never gone astray, or even had a rebellious thought - this passage speaks volumes.
How hard it is to see God blessing someone who has lived a rebellious life, leaving behind their Christian faith, being blessed mightily by the Lord, when they come back to Jesus.
It seems "unfair" that someone like that gets all the attention.
That's how the older brother felt.
Why should that "waster" be treated so well, when he had squandered the family fortune on sex, drugs and alcohol!
He certainly didn't acknowledge him as his brother, but said "that son of yours" - as if to say, he's nothing to do with me!
Moreover he elapses into a bit of self pity - "You never even gave me a goat so I could have a little party with my friends".
It's hard, humanly speaking, to watch the saving grace of God at work in some "undeserving" sinner.
But when I realise how worthless I am too, that Jesus saved me through no merit of my own, I can join in the party.
Romans 3:23-24 NKJV
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
Let's never begrudge anyone the grace that the Father freely extends to anyone returning "home"!
Get in the party spirit, put on those dancing shoes.
Rejoice with our Heavenly Father and the angels!
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