Fifth Thursday in Lent 2011
April 7, 2011 by Lillie
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” ~ Luke 15:25-32 (ESV)
Lord, I can identify with the older son. I wonder why someone has done wrong should be honored and welcomed. Forgive me for self-righteousness, for selfishness, for jealousy. Turn my heart to rejoice when sinners are blessed because they turn to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Lillie, this is something I also struggle with. It’s very hard for us to not have a first reaction of “what goes around comes around,” or “I told you so” or being glad that it happened to them so they could finally learn their lesson. It’s very difficult for us to see someone throw their life away, spend it away from God doing all kinds of horrible unspeakable things, only to come back feeling sorry for themselves and easily getting forgiveness. It is a beautiful picture of how God will always accept us with open arms when we have fallen. Thank you for sharing this!
Nancy,
I think most of us can identify with one or the other of the brothers!