READ
23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to make merry.
25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ” (Luke 15:23–32, RSV2CE)
REFLECT
Just like yesterday the religious were not wanting sinners to come to Jesus. Today the older brother is angry the younger brother gets royal treatment.
Today again Jesus rejoices in sinners that repent over the righteous that need no repentance. And again the religious older brother is angry that he does not get rewarded for staying good and his brother gets the family goods again even though he squandered them already.
Yesterday Jesus friends rejoiced with him because they know his heart and want him to be happy. The older brother did not know his father’s heart. He was working as a slave not a son. As a son they were building the family farm he should not be working for goods but for love. And when part of his dad’s heart came home he would be happy too. But in his mind it was about things. Both boys were working for things not love.
RESOLUTION
I must understand my father’s heart. I must know he rejoices in mercy to sinners and wants them in the family. Serving for goods instead of love hardens my heart and I am no longer understanding the father’s heart. I have the message of reconciliation with God Almighty the Perfect Father who wants to bring all people into the family. If I love God I will want to help him by loving sinners into the family not trying to keep them out. If I love God I will serve Him because he is love and be happy when others come to Him no matter what they have done. God can forgive all sin if repented of. What others have done is not my business, reconciliation is!
REST
Your love is just so foreign to my little hardened heart. My heart tries to protect itself and keep people out. But you want to burst the doors open with mercy, compassion, and reconciliation. I am broken, please fill me Holy Spirit with your love. Help me see all from your eyes. Open my heart to love like you. Help me be a messenger of reconciliation and live for love; not a religious who keep people away and work for rewards. I repent of my hardened heart and wrong motives. Thank you for loving sinners into of whom I am. Thank you for your forgiveness. I love you God. Amen.
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