LUKE 15:29-30

But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

TO PONDER

I don’t know about you but when I watch a movie, hear a story, read a book, or even read the Bible, I usually relate to the hero/protagonist in the story, never really the bad guy. 

Today’s verses are from the parable most of us know as “the story of the prodigal son” but I would often struggle with relating to the prodigal son as the main protagonist in this parable. Sure, I admit I am a sinner, I was lost but now am found as the great hymn, “Amazing Grace” proclaims but I really couldn’t relate to the wayward son.

I think the issue here, at least for me, was this parable was given the wrong title. So if you would allow me to flip the protagonist here and as result rename the parable, at least for this post, to “the story of the prodigal church.”

I do think that Jesus was addressing the church in these parable, the church being the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you know, the “righteous ninety-nine”, or the “older brother”.

The early church was a Jewish sect, they worshiped in the synagogue, they debated whether you could be a follower of Jesus without converting to Judaism, attending synagogue, follow the rules and regulations required to be a righteous Jew, being circumcised, etc…

Reread today’s verses but this time as the prodigal older brother, can you relate?

PRAYER:  Forgiving Father, I repent of my pride and boastfulness, I ask for your forgiveness as the sinner I am, I repent as the older brother and once again accept your grace and forgiveness, in the name of Jesus,  Amen.

Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay WestSide