“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.” (Luke 15:25-27 KJV).
In the midst of the party, the older son arrives from the field, which reveals that this parable is set in a farming environment. Here, the older son clearly represents the legalistic and religious people who depend on their hard work. He strives in the field by self-effort to impress the father, instead of dependence on his father’s grace and love. No wonder the father hasn’t thought about him to take part in setting up the feast. He is among the group represented by the ninety nine sheep left behind by the shepherd seeking for the one that was lost (Matthew 18:12-14).
In most cases, if not all, those who work hard observing the law to give the best impression of themselves, they are those who are called self-centered people. They want everyone’s attention centered upon them. This is who the older brother is. As he is, those like him think they are not given the benefit of what they earn and deserve based on their efforts. He spends more time in the field than being with his father. So, here we watch him missing to take part in the Father’s grace-filled joy.
The celebration for the prodigal son’s return reveals God’s delight in restoring sinners, while the elder son's missing the party represents being lost in the maze of self-righteousness in the observance of the law. He fails to recognize the magnitude of his father’s grace. This therefore is drawing our focus to the Father’s unconditional love which restores us completely, looking beyond an "elder brother" mentality of trying hard to earn God's goodness by self-effort.
We must, therefore, remain in the Lord’s grace by yielding our lives through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Scriptures assure us with this reminder: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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