Luke 15:25-32

content/bible_journal/luke_15:25-32.md

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+title = "Luke 15:25–32"
+date = "2023-01-02"
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+
+### [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.