RPG Adults
PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON – ARE YOU A SON?
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Luke 15:11-32
Memory verse: Luke 15:31-32
“…Son, thou art ever with me,
and all that I have is thine.”
PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON – ARE YOU A SON?
The elder son’s reaction was unjustified and shocking. His younger brother had been lost to the world, living a profligate life of sin and debauchery, and the family did not know if he was alive or dead. But he returned alive, and the elder brother’s response was anger and jealousy! He even highlighted his brother’s sins. He complained, “But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf ” (Luke 15:30). Instead of addressing his younger brother as “my brother,” he deliberately called him “thy son,” i.e. his father’s son. As far as the elder brother was concerned, he had no younger brother. He had devoured “thy living” (i.e. his father’s living) with harlots, and now the father killed the fatted calf for him.
The father did not kill the fatted calf because of his younger son’s life of sin, but for his return in humble repentance. That was the reason for the celebration. The elder brother could not see this because he had served his father externally, not inwardly out of love. He failed to realise that he should have served as a son, not a servant. His words condemned him and revealed his legalistic and materialistic service.
The father’s words are instructive: “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 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” (Luke 15:31b-32). The elder brother needed to know that if he had truly been serving with the right heart, he would have known that all the father had was his. If this were his heart, he would understand that his younger brother’s return was the reason for the rejoicing and thanksgiving. His departure from home was as if he had died, but now he was alive. His departure from home was like someone who was lost, but now he was found. The elder brother had to stop focusing on service. He needed to concentrate on his relationship with his father.
The lesson is to have a personal and loving relationship with God before serving. In this way, we will not lose sight of why we serve, i.e. to help sinners come to know Christ.
THOUGHT: Am I a child of God?
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for saving me.