Luke 15 (6)

Pray Psalm 115.1-3.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.

Sing Psalm 115.1-3.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, Lord, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Read Luke 15.1-32; meditate on verses 25-32 .

Preparation
1. What was the older son’s complaint?

2. How did the father respond?

Meditation
The older son, we now discover, suffered from the same sin of self-interest that brought his brother to near ruin. Hearing the ruckus and celebrating, he “asked what these things meant” (v. 26). He became angry when he learned that all this was because his wastrel of a brother had returned home (vv. 27, 28). Pouting and churlish, he refused to share in the celebration, even though “his father came out and pleaded with him” (v. 28).

His ungrateful and self-centered response to his father is shocking. “Look at all I’ve done! You never feted me like this!” He blamed his father for loving and rejoicing over his returned brother and accused him of injustice. Not a glad or gracious bone in his body. “What about me?” he cried. He had lost sight of the fact that all the father’s estate was his. He was ungrateful, jealous, angry, and downright mean.

We all have that kernel of resentment and self-interest lurking in our soul, and we need to be alert to its sudden ability to sprout to life. God has richly blessed us, both with every spiritual blessing and with those we need for daily life and work. We must not resent or covet what God in His grace chooses to bestow on others, though they seem ever so underserving, and we consider ourselves just the opposite. God knows what He’s doing, and He gives us more than what we need. Let us give thanks to God and be glad for the grace He bestows on others, rejoicing in Him and seeking only His glory in all things.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
We discover as we get to the end of this story that it is more about God’s grace than it is about the boys’ badness. It starts out with the younger son demanding what was his “portion of goods” that belonged to him (Lk. 15.12). Really? You are the younger son. Doesn’t most of everything go the older? And you insist, “Give me what is mine”? And next we experience the attitude of the older son. What a delight he wasn’t! Why do children sometimes feel they can demand misery for their parents? “No joy for you! This is all about me. So, get on board with that.”

Perhaps the title of this parable, misnamed the Prodigal Son, should really be entitled the Gracious Father of the Ungrateful Sons.

The opening and closing premise of “Give me” from both sons, sets the stage for enhanced grace shown by the father.

Paul’s friend Barnabas had the desired response when he arrived in Antioch and saw what the Lord was doing and all the new believers added to the church: “When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (Acts 11.23).

That could have been the older brother’s response.

That should be our response when any person makes a Kingdom Turn in their lives. This might include people who have hurt us, people who have been enemies of the church, and/or any people that we might not, for whatever reason, be thrilled that they have come to Jesus. We are disgusted when we read of the older brother’s attitude. Let’s be equally as disgusted with ourselves if this should creep into our own hearts.

As with these ungrateful sons, we too, can be forgiven. Daily. Always. And let’s keep our focus directly on pleasing Jesus Christ the Son, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. If our hearts are set on pleasing and glorifying Him, we will rejoice right along with the angels when any person repents. “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk. 15.10).

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4.31, 32).

There is life beyond a bad attitude, that can be ours, if we seek it; and there is hope for continued work in our Personal Mission Field with God’s gracious attitude as our guide: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You” (Ps. 51.12, 13). And unlike the older brother, I will rejoice!

For reflection
1. What can you do to make sure jealousy, envy, and self-interest are kept in check?

2. How would you try to help a fellow believer who was being consumed by self-interest?

3. How can you start each day to make sure that your heart is set on pleasing and glorifying the Lord?

What must that temper be, which stirs up a man to despise and abhor those for whom the Savior shed his precious blood, who are objects of the Father’s choice, and temples of the Holy Ghost! This springs from pride, self-preference, and ignorance of a man’s own heart. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Luke 15.25-32

Pray Psalm 115.9-18.
Pray that God will use you for His glory today, that He will keep you from all mere selfishness and empower you to serve and love others, even those who may be unlovable.

Sing Psalm 115.9-18.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
All who trust in Jesus yield – ever to His Name be glory! –
find in Him their help and shield – ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the Lord!  He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Blessings from our gracious Lord – ever to Your Name be glory –
will attend us evermore – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, Lord, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Grant us, Savior, great increase – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace – ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
and bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.