diff --git a/content/bible_journal/luke_15:25-32.md b/content/bible_journal/luke_15:25-32.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..18b374d --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/luke_15:25-32.md @@ -0,0 +1,33 @@ ++++ +title = "Luke 15:25–32" +date = "2023-01-02" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk15.25-32) + +Surprise! The story of the prodigal son isn't over yet. Remember that the son +that squandered his share of the inheritance has an older brother? Do you +remember what got Jesus started with telling these stories in the first place? + +While the father has gotten his household to celebrate the return of his son, +his firstborn comes in from the field and wonders what is going on. When he +finds out it is about his younger brother, he gets mad and refuses to go in to +celebrate. His father comes out to ask him to come in, but he accuses him of +playing favorites, because he never got even a small feast for his friends +despite faithfully serving his father for so long. So the father reminds him +that he is going to inherit everything his father will have, and has enjoyed +being with his father the entire time. Yet, that doesn't negate the suitability +of celebrating his brother's return. + +Ever see a new believer join the church and start shaking things up because +they are so on fire for the Lord? Notice how it makes the old sticks in the mud +uncomfortable? That's more or less what was happening with the Pharisees and +the older brother in the story. God was doing amazing things in people's lives, +and the traditionalists were unhappy about it because it wasn't according to +their way of doing things. But God isn't constrained by how we've done things +before, or even how He has done things before. His only constraints are His own +character, and He will have mercy on whom He has mercy. + +* * * + +Remind us that we are sinners saved by grace, and no better than anyone else.