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 after the younger son squandered everything, was destitute and feeding pigs, he returned to his home where his father began a celebration for his return. Jesus continued, “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 he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-nine of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said the elder son answered, “lo, these many years do I serve you … and yet you never gave me a kid” where we read:
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve you, neither transgressed I at any time your commandment: and yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
The verse reads, “And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve you, neither transgressed I at any time your commandment:” Luke began with the words, “and he answering said to his father” or “and the elder son responded and began to utter, declare and proclaim to the elder son's dad or male progenitor and immediate ancestor”, “lo, these many years” which means “look, behold and consider, for such a large and great amount of time”, “do I serve you” or “did the elder son do service to, obey and yield to his father”, “neither transgressed I” which means “no and not in any way did I, the elder son, neglect, omit and avert” “at any time” or “never and not even at all” “your commandment” which refers to “the elder father's orders, commands, precepts and injunctions”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “elder son” responded to his father's entreaty by referring to the great number of “years” he “served” him as well as never disobeying his directives.
The verse continues, “and yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:” Luke added the words, “and yet you never gave me” or “and even so and indeed you, the father, not at any time granted, provided and bestowed upon me, the elder son” “a kid” which means “a young goat”, “that I might make merry” or “that I, the elder son, could be glad, joyful and delighted” “with my friends” which means “alongside the elder son's associates and companions”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “elder son” complained to his “father” because his dad never provided even a “small goat” so he could “celebrate” with his “friends”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn why the elder son was so unhappy with his father. Because he believed himself to have always obeyed his father and “served” him for “many years”, he wondered why there was never any “celebration” given on his behalf. Jealousy and envy are horrifically soul altering sins, and those who are affected by them often react angrily towards those who make them feel that way. God knows every person, and His desire is to “save” ;them by their believing and trusting in His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. When He provides advantages to one person over another like this “elder son” perceived, the wise response is to understand God's desire is to bless everyone.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus said the father said to the elder son, “Son, you are ever with me” 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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