The Prodigal Son and the Elder Brother

Luke_15:25-28 - "As he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing And he was angry, and would not go in."

When the Prodigal son  returned home,  the elder brother was walking towards home and he heard the sounds of music, celebrations and dancing as he approached his father's house. An ideal atmosphere of vivacious celebration and jubilant around the house, because this is the only thing that was ringing through the heart of the Master and Father that the "son that was lost was now being found and alive...." What an awesome scene that one can imagined. Every household is more or less attuned to the spirit of those who are at its head. However there is a warning here,  NOT to carry our dysfunctional moods and worries home, otherwise we will destroy,  lower, depress and rob the tone of happiness that already unify and bind together our family circle.

The return of the younger son and the father's joy was highly regarded by the elder son as infectious. As the story may implied, there were three grades of servants in the house, and evidently a very tight knitted and great household, and most of them were swimmingly in great joy and exuberant excitement. Not a girl who did not smarten up and dress herself in the best outfit, or not a boy who did not polish his buttons and wearing his best  to join in the welcome celebration. The  celebration in the master's house was more radiant  and lively remarkable as compared with the dark, gloomy days  which during the past few years that has affected and enveloped them all,  the reflection of the sorrows that engulfed the master's life  for  longing to see his son again.

Don't the elder brother has the right to be jealous? Ought there not to have been a similar outburst of joy and Celebration in respect to the obedience of the elder brother? Not that the elder brother had to come back, but he had never gone astray or left home for his own self-centered and selfish choices. He had never disobeyed or transgressed at anytime his father's commandment, he was a very good son. But why this celebration to a son who totally  rejected and disobeyed the father's command and selfishly waste his portion of inheritance? There was no fatted calf killed in his (elder brother)  honor, no music, dancing and appreciation his adherence to the home. Was this quite fair?

But here is the good news for the elder son. Of course there were compensations. "My son you have been with me all the time, and  all that I have is yours....you are join heirs with Christ.." All things are yours in Him. I mean "ALL THINGS."   Of course,the prodigal son  may have his music and dancing for today, but isn't more better for the elder son to have a life cultured, and nurtured  in love, reflection and radiant of  peace, joy and unbroken in its even fellowship and happiness?  NO! we should not grudge over our MASTER for one hour of exultation and celebration for a lost soul that has been saved and found, but given God's best and sweetest gift and flourishing life for abiding in Him is  an unclouded heart, abundance, rest, serenity, peace, and the daily love of God, our Father that shed abroad within us as we live in His dear presence. We should be singing Hallelujah and Amen to that and that is your reward "elder son" for your dedication and obedience.  What more do you want if all we have IS CHRIST for HE IS OUR EVERYTHING.

Change our hearts O Lord, and clean all all hatred and malice, all envy and jealousy, and everything which would cause a breach between us  and others. Flow thru us O Lord as like a mighty river that flows from the mountain to the sea and sweep away the turmoils and and debris of this world so that we can end up with rivers that springing up in our inner souls and spirit....

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