The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Luke 15:28-32
Its sad and difficult when a believer in God abandons what they know and turns to wanton living and squanders what they had. But, when they return, we celebrate (not over the sin) but that they have become alive again to the things of God. Not everyone can get past what they may have lost in the process: reputation, a slice of inheritance, whatever… that was the problem for the older brother in the story of the prodigal son. His attitude prevented his from responding in a godly way when his own brother returned (whom he referred to as ‘his father’s son’), not to mention, he missed the fact that at any time he could have enjoyed a young goat and a feast with his friends. The Christian life is one of joy and sorrow. We ought to take the joyful moments when they come.
What is my evangelistic temperature? How excited am I to see people come to Christ? And return to Him?
Lord Jesus, this is the first day of the week; a day of worship. Would You be present and pleased at our gatherings today. I am looking forward to seeing family and friends who make up the church, especially our good friends the Bergmann’s. Thank you God for the blessings of life.
