Part 5 of the 6 part series: The Lost Son
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The Lost Son is part of the two-week study "The Lost Series
Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called on of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
You better believe that the jolly green giant of jealousy was right there in that moment when he hears the music and dancing. I know that my jaw would have dropped and I would be stomping around the house like a mad woman. Think about it though, he has been consistently working for the Lord and not faltering in his faith in the Father. He knows that this is where he will always find what he needs.
He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, “look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
But you see this is where it is difficult. Many of us may not have journeyed so far into that dark spot that we left for ‘years’ on end. We have been serving and working for the Lord daily and when He tells us to jump we are asking how high. Yet we see no party, dancing, music or fat cows being eaten. What’s the catch then?
He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
You see our fulfillment is in the Lord, our nourishment is in Him, the older Son knew this all along but lacked to see that that is the ‘prize.’ That everyday he is receiving more than a fattened calf in the wisdom, love, mercy and generosity of the Father. Yet we are also asked to share that wisdom, love, mercy and generosity in celebrating when others finally return ‘home.’ They were once lost but have been found and are now alive and not dead, because we have the fulfillment and nourishment that we need.
