Scriptural Foundation:
Luke 15:11-32 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
11 And He said, there was a certain man who had two sons;
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the part of the property that falls [to me]. And he divided the estate between them.
13 And not many days after that, the younger son gathered up all that he had and journeyed into a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and loose [from restraint] living.
14 And when he had spent all he had, a mighty famine came upon that country, and he began to fall behind and be in want.
15 So he went and forced (glued) himself upon one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed hogs.
16 And he would gladly have fed on and filled his belly with the carob pods that the hogs were eating, but [they could not satisfy his hunger and] nobody gave him anything [better].
17 Then when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have enough food, and [even food] to spare, but I am perishing (dying) here of hunger!
18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] make me like one of your hired servants.
20 So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently].
21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son [I no longer deserve to be recognized as a son of yours]!
22 But the father said to his bond servants, bring quickly the best robe (the festive robe of honor) and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet.
23 And bring out that [wheat-] fattened calf and kill it; and let us revel and feast and be happy and make merry,
24 Because this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to revel and feast and make merry.
25 But his older son was in the field; and as he returned and came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 And having called one of the servant [boys] to him, he began to ask what this meant.
27 And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed that [wheat-] fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and well.
28 But [the elder brother] was angry [with deep-seated wrath] and resolved not to go in. Then his father came out and began to plead with him,
29 But he answered his father, Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never disobeyed your command. Yet you never gave me [so much as] a [little] kid, that I might revel and feast and be happy and make merry with my friends;
30 But when this son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you have killed for him that [wheat-] fattened calf!
31 And the father said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 But it was fitting to make merry, to revel and feast and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!
Reflection:
We all know the story of the prodigal son, but have you ever stopped to meditate on the other son. The prodigal son thought that the world had more to offer than his father, whereas the son that stayed with the father had it all and took it for granted. Let’s call the other son, the martyr son. This son stayed by his father’s side, worked tirelessly in his fields, and never caused his father any grief; but, instead of being happy with his position in life this son felt betrayed when reward was given to the “bad” behavior. Some would even call it “treasonous” behavior. Despite the truth, with rightful access to everything his father had at any time the martyr son chose to look at his position in life as a job rather than a birthright. Sound familiar?
We see this story played out in churches around the world. Individuals at different stages of their sanctification walk with the Lord becoming stagnant due to the lack of recognition given to them by fellow believers and/or their pastors. Saints, this should not be! Mature believers in Christ must become careful of becoming a martyr son. It is my observation, that some mature believers adamantly believe their faith walk rest with their efforts rather than God’s favor and forgiveness. Whereas, baby Christians recognize and truly reverence our Lord and constantly look for nourishment from the one true Source. If you are walking with the Lord on a daily basis, laying your plans aside for His will, then you must be extra vigilant that you don’t take that access, that fellowship for granted. The Bible says… Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4 ESV). So, we should be jumping for joy when a prodigal comes back to the family. We all at one time were prodigals, never forget your story and never take for granted the life you now lead for the Kingdom. Remember saints there are no living martyrs.
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- Outside the Lord none of us are perfect. In the following Bible excerpt which son are you more like when the Lord asks you to do something for Him?
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”
They said to Him, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him. ~Matthew 21:28-32