The Other Son

The parable of the prodigal son contains so many practical lessons on
relationships (particularly for parents) that we often forget Jesus
spoke this parable in response to an accusation from the Pharisees;
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2). The
message of the prodigal son is really about our Heavenly Father who
rejoices every time a "sinner" turns their heart to Him in
repentance. But why did Jesus talk about TWO sons? What was the
message of the son who remained at home?

He was the son who quietly watched his younger brother make
disrespectful demands on his father; "Give me my share of the estate"
(Luke 15:12). He was the son who stayed at home to work the fields
while his brother "squandered his wealth in wild living" (Luke
15:13). And he was the son who became angry with his father and
refused to celebrate his brother's return: "All these years I've been
slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave
me even a young goat" (Luke 15:29).

This was the son who walked the straight and narrow - walked the path
of disciplined obedience - but he missed his opportunity to receive
true blessings as he walked.

Luke 15:31
"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I
have is yours.'"

The son had been "slaving" in the hope of a future blessing, but his
heart was not joyfully serving. He missed the real blessing of
walking with his father and having free access to everything his father owned.

As believers in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, we understand that
people can be saved at any point in their life - regardless of past
sins. The thief on the cross received his Salvation only moments
before he died. But there is always part of us that cries "foul!"
Somehow it doesn't seem fair when others have worked so hard for so long.

This attitude shows we also have missed the blessing of walking with
our Lord. Heaven is never a reward for "obedient" living; it is a
free gift to those who believe in Jesus. We should never feel we're
"slaving" under the burden of His commands in order to earn His
favor. Rather, we are to joyfully follow because we know that only
in Him is there true peace, true contentment...true blessings!

Let's follow our Lord with a firm perspective of eternity; but let's
never become so focused on the future that we miss the blessings
given to us today - the blessings of the journey! Let's renew our
joy at being allowed to walk every day with our Heavenly Father and
rejoice whenever a repentant heart returns home. Let's never make
the sad mistake of living the burdened life of the other son.

Have a Great Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
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