Luke 15:25-32
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Recall our last meditation on the return of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24. As you read the conclusion of the story in Luke 15:25-32, keep in mind that Jesus is still speaking to the Pharisees and teachers of religious law.
As followers of Jesus, we have been ushered back into the presence of God the Father and we have been showered with the blessings of God’s Kingdom. But it’s still possible to get so caught up in religious activity (or even good works) that we lose our focus on God’s love and begin serving God out of habit or obligation.
Unchecked, this shift in focus from loving God to working for God can lead to a couple of issues. First, we lose the joy of a vibrant, loving, relationship with God, and second, we can begin to judge, and possibly even resent and despise, people who think and act differently.
Picture yourself as the older son in Jesus’ story. Imagine you are told that a person whose lifestyle or actions disgust you has just been welcomed into the comfort and embrace of God. How do you feel about this? Talk openly with Jesus about anything you are thinking or feeling.
Read Luke15:25-32 again and see if the story strikes you differently this time.
When Jesus talks about the reaction of the older son in this story, he is obviously pointing to the religious leaders of Israel who are so busy working for God that they have largely overlooked God’s love for them. Just like the brother, they think they should be God’s favorites and the recipients of God’s blessings by virtue of their position and their religious activity. And because they feel entitled, they cannot enjoy God’s presence or rejoice with God over the restoration of sinners.
Take a moment to consider whether you ever fall into the trap of comparison when you observe God blessing someone else. What might this tell you about your own recognition of God’s love for you?
Stay with this for a while and share your thoughts and feelings with Jesus.
Now get quiet and listen to Jesus.
What might Jesus be saying to you through the parable of the two brothers?
How do you plan to respond?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
