Like I said in my post a little while ago, I was able to take a "God Day" two weeks ago, and in that time I read The Prodigal God by Tim Keller. Growing up in the church, I've heard people talk about this book for a long time so I put it on my "to read" list. Well, having the day specifically designed for me to spend time with the Lord and do things that I enjoy was the perfect time to pull that book out.
Thankfully, I've been incredibly blessed to grow up in a church focussed on teaching the gospel and not just "feel good" sermons. This includes the sermon on "The Prodigal Son" but not just the story of the first son. Our pastor includes the second son who, according to the book, is just as crucial to the parable as the first son. The parable is a story that Jesus told to the people surrounding him at the time which included the hated/sinful tax collectors as well as the religious leaders of the day who thought of themselves very highly.
The story goes that there was a father that had two sons. The younger son asked the father for his inheritance to be given to him early. This is the equivalent of the son wishing that his father was already dead so that he could have his money. He wanted the money, not his father. The father gave his son the money, and he spent all of it on extravagant living. Eventually the money ran out and the son was to the point that he was feeding pigs and longed for the food that they were getting. At that point, the son realized that his father treated his servants way better than this, so he devised a plan. He would go and beg his father to allow him to be a servant in his house. When he returned, before the son could even start to plead with his father, the father embraced him. He gave the son his finest rings and robe and threw a party for him.
This is when the older son comes into the story.
This son had worked for his father his entire life. He expected to receive everything after the father died, but since his brother came home, his inheritance would be severely diminished. Again. He was angry that his brother was being celebrated while he had been perfect his entire life and wasn't ever celebrated. He too had the attitude of using his father and not enjoying him. He wanted the money, not his father.
Back to the book. The younger brother represented the sinners and tax collectors while the older represented the religious leaders. Some of the things that Keller points out in his book were incredibly convicting. He wrote the book for people looking into Christianity, new Christians, and old/seasoned Christians. For each group there is something to learn.
Some of the most convicting parts were when Keller was talking about the older brother. I've realized that I am very much an older brother in that I am a rule follower and seek approval of my authorities all too often. I often live in fear of not being good enough even though I know in my head that I don't have to be "good enough". That's why Jesus came. Because I can't be good enough. But He was. Praise the Lord!
If you have any time on your hands or are looking to pick up a book, please read this one! I'm praying that through what was revealed to me, that God will change me to be more like Him.
Love y'all!
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