5-20-2024
The Prodigal Son
According to Luke 15:11-32 Jesus told a parable of the Prodigal Son, where a man had two sons and the younger one asked his father for his share of the property that he had coming to him. The man divided his property between his two sons, later the younger son gathered all he had and left home on a journey far, far way and squandered his property by living recklessly. After he has spent everything, that country had a severe famine and he began to have needs. He hired himself out as a bondservant to a citizen of that country, who sent him into the fields to feed pigs. He was so hungry that he would eat what the pigs ate, but he received nothing for himself.
When he regained himself he thought of his father’s servants who have more than enough to eat while he was dying of hunger. He said he would go to his father ask for pity and to be treated as one of the servants. He rose up and went to his father. Even while he was a long way off his father saw him and had compassion, ran and hugged him and kissed him. The son said he had sinned against heaven and against his father and was not worthy to be called his son. The father said to his servants to quickly bring the best robe and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. He said bring the fattened calf and kill it so we can eat and celebrate. My son who was dead is alive again; he was lost and is found. They began to celebrate.
The older son was in the field, as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing and called one of the servants to find out what was going on? He was told that his brother has come and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound. The older son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and called him, but he answered his father that he had served his father many years and never disobeyed his command, yet I never received a young goat, so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has wasted your property with prostitutes you killed the fattened calf for him! The father said that because you are always with me and all that is mine is yours, it was fitting to celebrate and be glad for your brother was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found.
Although that was a different time, place and culture we often act in the same manner. While doing our duty to our family, our country and to God if not careful we become so envious of what others have that we forget the basic Ten Commandments and resent our brother and his accomplishments as we lust after his home, car, job, family or position in life.
We forget that before God we are all created equal.
Our love for God and each other are more than enough to show that God loves us so much that HE sent his Son Jesus to die on the Cross at Calvary for ALL the sins of the world that we might be with him in Heaven for eternity. It’s ours for the asking. Are you?
Do you know the difference between wisdom and knowledge?
Devine wisdom comes from God, but common knowledge comes from man.
A wise man that combines both wisdom and knowledge to advance the kingdom of God here on earth is hard to find. Our faith in God strengthened and encouraged by prayer and supplication, and the prayerful reading the Word is the best defense against trials. – RTM
The Real Truckmaster 