The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you, And am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-three of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said the father said, “bring here the fated calf, and kill it” where we read:
And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
The verse reads, “And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it;” Luke began with the words, “and bring here” or “and carry and bring forth to this place” “the fatted calf” which means “the fattened and grain filled young bullock or heifer”, “and kill it” or “and sacrifice, immolate and slay the fatted calf”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “father” instructed his servants to “prepare” the “fattened” “calf” and “sacrifice” it for a meal.
The verse continues, “and let us eat, and be merry:” Luke added the words, “and let us eat” or “and allow and permit the father, the younger son and the servile men to consume and devour the sacrificed fatted calf”, “and be merry” which means “and rejoice, be glad and delighted”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “father” directed this to be a joyful and celebratory meal that is to be devoured.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus said the “father” instructed his servants to prepare a feast and a party for the return of his son. He was so happy to have his son in his life again it was necessary to have a “feast and celebration”, and everyone was to be invited. God and heaven “celebrate” when people submit themselves to His Son Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord”, and when they yield to Him, they receive the “abundant life” Jesus promised while He was on the earth (See John 10:10). Those who are wise will “join the party” and discover how glad God is for them to come to Him.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus said the father said, “my son was dead, and is alive again”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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