The Elder Brother's Anger - Luke 15:28

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 bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Your brother is come; and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-eight of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said the elder brother, “was angry, and would not go in” where we read:

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

The verse reads, “And he was angry, and would not go in:” Luke began with the words, “and he was angry” or “and the elder son was aroused and provoked to anger and wrath”, “and would not go in” which means “and resolved, intended and was disposed not to enter into the house”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “elder son” was so “mad” he would not enter into the house.

The verse goes on to say, “therefore came his father out, and entreated him.” Luke added the words, “therefore came his father out” or “wherefore, consequently and on this account arose and appeared the elder son's male progenitor and immediate ancestor”, “and entreated him” which means “and summoned and called the elder son aside”. Luke shared how Jesus said because the “elder son” would not come into the house, his “father” went outside and called the “elder son” to his side.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover the reaction of the “elder son” to the “feast and celebration” that was happening in the house. He would not even “go in” to the party, and because of this, his “father” came out to him. After the “father” summoned his son, he began to speak with him. We shall see what he says in our next verse, but for now let it suffice us to know God is aware of every person and their “feelings” about circumstances He provides for other people. Sometimes God shares His blessings upon people that some may fell “angry” over, but He is a merciful and gracious God who desires a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. Rather than be “angry”, everyone reading these words should examine themselves to discover whether they are filled with “anger, jealousy, envy or any other emotion of opposition”, and turn to the Lord who provides abundantly for all who yield to Him.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus said the elder son answered, “lo, these many years do I serve you … and yet you never gave me a kid” 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".