Text: Luke 15:20-28; 31&32
Memory Verse: “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).
Some people have regarded these two brothers, and not just the younger son, as both prodigal. The younger son collected his inheritance from his father while the father was still alive and went away to squander it, only
to return to the same father in repentance. His elder brother was angry with the development because their father welcomed him back.
Look at the role the father played with respect to what the two sons did. One was a squanderer, backslider and returnee, yet the father did not condemn him. If you were in his shoes, what would you have done? The older brother displayed jealousy, pride, self-righteousness, felt cheated and unappreciated (Luke 15:28-30). Their father did not condemn him either for his attitude, but made him see reasons for how he welcomed the younger brother.
Imagine what would have happened to these sons, if their father had condemned either of them or even both of them! The younger son would probably have left, got lost completely or go and commit suicide while the older son would probably have ended up bitter and plot evil against the younger brother or the father.
Today, many fathers have destroyed their children and sent them away into the world or the grave by their attitude of condemnation and lack of wisdom in handling issues like this. Remember how Jesus handled the backsliding Peter
and others (John 21). As a father, learn from the Master and be a true father.
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, I repent of my wrong attitude as a father today.
2. Lord, make me a true father to my children and people around me.