The father in the parable in (Luke 15:11-31) is concerned about both of his sons, the younger 'prodigal' son and the elder 'responsible' son. the story which had mainly been about the younger sons choice to leave and then return home is dramatically switched and focuses upon the elder son's attitude and state of heart. The father has to go out and again call his son into his house. The party is in full swing; the fatted calf has been killed; the music is playing; and the dancing has started...yet he heart of the elder son when he hears what is happening stubbornly refuses to enter the father's house. The younger son doesn't deserve it and he feels himself unjustly dealt with, his self-righteousness is plainly seen. when discussing with his father he says that he has been 'slaving away, following orders' yet when the father gives him another request to enter the celebration, he refuses...he considers that the father is wrong...he is better, more righteous, more just!
How often do we refuse to enter the celebration of those who find Christ, or we don't even think others worth speaking to about Jesus. The Fathers heart is full of compassion to all his children that are lost, He desires that they are able to enter into His house, in which Jesus Himself says there are many rooms of which He is preparing for those that are the Lords (John 14:1-4) a place which is ours to live in and enjoy for eternity. We need to enter into Christ and experience the presence of the Father.
Consider even when you are attending church, do you actually consciously enter into the Fathers presence? The church should be a place of experiencing God in all His capacity, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We might consider that as long as I am a member of the house - that therefore all is ok, that you consider yourself in the Father's house. The parable we have been looking at reveals that we can be misdirected in our attitudes towards god, and think that the Christian life is just about working, serving and not celebrating the grace, love, mercy and forgiveness that is ours and our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ most wonderfully won for us by His death upon the cross.
We should be living in His house...a spiritual house...where all is ours in Christ, but how often do we realise this and still think that we are outside and lost, we keep our minds full of a poverty mentality when it comes to what we have as Christians - wonderfully in Ephesians 1:3 it is our heavenly Father 'Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus' (NIV). We need to trust our Father God in that He knows best as we are His children.
Matthew Armstrong
Issue 19 26th February 2010
Blantyre.
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