November 3 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading:

Luke 15:25-32

²⁵Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
²⁶And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
²⁷And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
²⁸And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
²⁹And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
³⁰But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
³¹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
³²It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Devotional:

Jesus told this story because the scribes and Pharisees had been critical of his friendliness with 'sinners' (15:2). They should have seen in it a portrayal of themselves as the older brother, resentful because the heavenly Father welcomed back the younger son who had been a prodigal.

The main thrust of this story is in this section, which often does not receive as much attention as it warrants. There should have been rejoicing in the heart of the older brother when his younger brother repentantly rejoined the family circle. The scribes and Pharisees should have been glad, as are the angels in heaven when a sinner repents. The Jews should have been glad when the gospel message was drawing Gentiles into the family of God. We conservative Christians should be glad to welcome 'sinners' and persons of different skin color, features, manners and habits into our fellowship in the house of God.

In the context of the home, each member should be able to forgive and forget when one member confesses his past sins and wants to take up his place in the home again.

Notice that the father pleaded with the older brother to join in the welcome. As the older brother pouted and felt sorry for himself the father reminded him that through the years he had received favors and enjoyed the security of the home.

Jealousy, resentment, rivalry—our homes are marred by them. But they should not keep us from expressing our joy at the salvation of one member! 'This thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found' (15:32). Unfeigned, spontaneous joy at the repentance of a prodigal is indeed a testimony to the validity of the Christian experience!