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Prodigal Son – part 2
Last time we discussed the prodigal son from the
parable of that name. It is a story of a rebellious and impulsive youth
who demands his inheritance from his father and then proceeds to lose it
all in riotous living. Alone and destitute, the son hits the proverbial
rock bottom and experiences a change of heart. Suddenly, he recognizes
that his relationship with his father is of far more value than any
worldly possession or pleasure. In an example of true repentance, the
son takes full responsibility of his mistakes, confesses his sins to his
father, begs for forgiveness, and expresses a willingness to accept
whatever punishment is required. Imagine the profound gratitude and love
he feels when his father frankly forgives him, welcomes him, and even
celebrates his return. What an example of Christ-like charity!
Today we are going to explore the other half of the
equation personified in this parable—the older brother.
Luke 15:25:
Now his elder son
was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he
heard musick and dancing.
I want to point out the specific Greek for the
English word “Elder” used here is. Christ could have used the word,
πρε ́σβυς
Pronounced as “pres-bus”. “Presbus” means: “elderly”
or “older”.
He could have said “the elderly/older son”, but Jesus
wanted to make a stronger point to those that understood the language.
He used, instead:
πρεσβυ ́τερος
Pronounced as “pres-boo'-ter-os”
Presbuteros means: “older; as noun, a senior;
specifically an Israelite Sanhedrist” (also figuratively, member of
the “celestial council”) or Christian “presbyter”: - elder (-est), old.
This word can be used, not only to refer to an older
son, but to refer to the elders in the community. In fact, it is the
term that was used to refer specifically to the Israelite Sanhedrin who
were leaders in the religious community. With this in mind, consider the
audience the Lord was addressing and the circumstances that prompted
Christ to relate this parable.
Luke 15:1-2:
Then drew near unto him
all the publicans and sinners for to hear it. And the Pharisees and
scribed murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with
them.
When Christ used the example of 2 sons, he was
referring to two types of individuals, both of whom comprised his
audience—the humble sinner and the self-righteous hypocrite, the
publicans and sinners or the Pharisees and scribes.
When the elder brother heard the music, he called to
one of the servants.
Luke 15:26:
And he called one
of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
Luke 15:27:
And he said unto him,
Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted
calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
Luke 15:28:
And he was angry,
and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and
intreated him.
It is very important to take note of the older
brother’s reaction to the fact that his long, lost brother, whom the
family had no way of knowing where he was or if he was even living, had
returned with a penitent spirit. Instead of joy at his sibling’s safe
return and thanks to God, he was angry. The next verse tells why.
Luke 15:29:
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years
do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment:
and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my
friends:
The Elder son was really asking,
“Where is my reward for always upholding the laws
which you desired me to follow? Have I not earned something? I deserve
this! I am better than my younger brother.” Mine, mine, mine, mine… Can
you start to see the “Self righteousness” that is truly being
addressed?” I am sure that the Father would say unto this son;
Genesis 4:7: If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?
and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee
shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him .
Just as He pleaded and warned Cain, “Do well”, He
did/does the same for this son and He does to every man and woman who
enters into this world.
Luke 15:30:
But as soon as this
thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots,
thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
This verse here shows more than just a stubborn
minded older brother. It is clearly a man that would not accept the
authority of the Father’s will (That none should perish). He felt that
all his father owned was rightfully his because he had earned it by
being obedient to the letter of the law and did not want to share it
with his foolish, younger brother. Many of the people in this world
believe that they are earning some great reward and that is the only
reason why many of them perform any tasks whatsoever. Being completely
obsessed with the letter of the law, even to the manufacturing of new
law, to the complete exclusion of mercy or charity was a trait the
scribes and Pharisees in Christ’s audience were found guilty. They, like
the older brother, not only considered themselves more worthy to judge
than the Father, they considered themselves of higher esteem than anyone
they deemed less worthy.
The father responded with love and patience.
Luke 15:31:
And he said unto him,
Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Luke 15:32:
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy
brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Through the eyes of a loving father, we are shown a
picture of Heaven’s celebration when a true repentant heart comes back
to the Lord and the overwhelming forgiveness and love the Father offers
every one of us over and over again as we struggle and fall, rise and
repent, in our journey back to Him. Heavenly Father is not interested in
our outward performance of duty in order to receive blessings. But, if
we come to him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, seeking
forgiveness, taking responsibility, and having a willingness to make
whatever restitution we can, He is waiting with open arms to receive us.
Like the younger son, we must have faith in the love of our Father and
the courage to take the road home.
This is a key to understanding this lesson. Christ
wanted to show everyone that the root of “Sin” comes from within our
very selves! He wanted everyone to see the hardened heart of these
people and give them the truth of their wickedness and abuse of their
position that they used to exalt themselves above the rest of the
community. But it also can mean something to those of us that are
“already in the family of Christ”. Those whom know better and sin
anyway, “Christians”. All of us are capable of sinning,
even after we come to the Lord in submission to His Will!
I pray that this will move us all into true humility
and lead us to ongoing repentance for our daily walks in this world. We
“all” have no right to judge another servant, and when the consideration
of/for judgment comes to us… We should judge carefully and remember,
what judgment we mete with will be measured back unto us!
Matthew 7:1:
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Matthew 7:2:
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what
measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
No man is greater than the next, and no person is
truly righteous. Our own righteousness is but “filthy rags” in
comparison to the righteousness of God Almighty. How dare us judge
someone for being poor, they have all the rights to be forgiven and
blessed. We move into a view of “self-righteousness” when we advance in
the church gathering offices held by the supposed men and women of God!
This is a problem that we still see in every church somewhere. This
leaded us to the next lesson in which was a request from a student. Why
do we all feel the need to divide into denominations? Please join us as
we advance through this stage of higher learning and grow into the
loving church body of Jesus together. I pray these will be prayed over
with the Spirit of God leading, studied with the Holy Bible, and before
accepting the truths that are truly obvious and needed. I pray these
things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Thank you for joining us today, and I pray that you
will join us soon for a unifying lesson of godly living and church
fundamentals. God bless you all.
Your brother in Christ Jesus,
J. Charles Roberts
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