<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3lOlLu_0pFZvEUd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3lOlLu_0pFZvEUd00" width="1200" height="675" > The story of the Prodigal Son is only half about him. The father’s genuine love and generosity throughout the story are beautifully displayed. He listens, blesses, waits, runs, embraces, celebrates and restores his son. His joy is complete, not based on his younger son’s behavior, but on his presence. He just loved his son. However, the crowd didn’t; nor did his brother. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> The story takes a strange pivot. After the beautiful story of redemption, we get a glimpse of the heart of the self-righteous sibling. He knows what has happened when he hears the sound of celebration and the smell of the calf barbecued. He was neither informed or invited. The older brother stands at a distance and sulks, utterly disregarding his father’s interests. Ungrateful for the fact that he’s never been lost, and unaware of all the heartache he’s been spared due to the lavishness of his father, he presumes upon his dad’s love by waiting outside for him to approach him. The master of the party has to leave the dance floor among the grand, joyous celebration to attempt to reconcile the eldest son. He reminds him that his brother was as good as dead, but now lives. He reminds him that all that is in the house is his. It’s not enough. It’s never enough. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> “You have never given me a goat,” the oldest son claims. The father is patient but reminds him that he eats every day at his table. “I’m not through,” the brother insists. “When this son of yours returns from his prostitutes, you kill my pet cow? The same calf we had been waiting to eat at a special time?” Who said anything about prostitutes? Not only was the brother self-righteous and full of pride, but he was also jealous. There is no mention of prostitutes, yet this is his accusation because he knows exactly how he’d waste the money. One of the ugliest looks on a Christian is jealousy over sin. Have you met someone who seems angry that sinners “get away” with their sin? Jealousy is sin. The response to all matters of sin should always be sympathy. Sin’s wages are always death. Whether the sinner realizes it or not, the Word of God is clear. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Don’t sit thinking of what you wish you could do if you weren’t so righteous. That kind of thinking can eat a hole in your soul. Instead, be thankful for your father’s provision, kindness and goodness. The older brother is overwhelmed by offense. He is offended and can’t even enjoy the father’s house, his brother’s party or the fatted calf’s burnt ends. He is miserable. Redemption and revival are taking place mere feet from him, and he stands outside and watches. I Corinthians 13 shows us that those who are easily offended lack love. Are you walking in offense? Or worse, have you taken up someone else’s offense? You will never produce righteousness while carrying bitterness. How can I love my brother and not get offended on their behalf? Galatians instructs us to carry another’s burdens, but not each other’s offenses. So, drop it, brother. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Whatever is keeping you out of the presence of God must be settled today. Can you imagine missing out on your destiny because you can’t overcome your problems? God is doing amazing things today. Run to the party and celebrate like He is! <nbtemplate data-content="eyJhcGlLZXkiOiAiZDgxM2Q5Yzg3NTI3N2IzNWU0YzRmZDM0NTAyMjJkNmQiLCAiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiAiU3Vic2NyaWJlIHRvIFRoZSBQZXJxdWltYW5zIFdlZWtseSIsICJldmVudCI6ICJtcF9zdWJzY3JpcHRpb25fYnV0dG9uX2NsaWNrX2V2ZW50IiwgInVybCI6ICJodHRwczovL2FwZzAxLm5ld3p3YXJlLmNvbS9zczcwdjIvZW5jL2NvbW1vbi90ZW1wbGF0ZS5qc3A_aW5pdD1zdGFydCZpbml0RWRpdGlvbj1QV1omcmV0dXJuPWh0dHBzJTI1M0ElMjUyRiUyNTJGd3d3LmRhaWx5YWR2YW5jZS5jb20lMjUyRnBlcnF1aW1hbnMlMjUyRiIsICJtZWRpYUlkIjogMTU5MzI0NiwgInRpdGxlIjogIkhvZ2dhcmQgY29sdW1uOiBEb24ndCBiZSBsaWtlIFByb2RpZ2FsJ3MgYnJvdGhlciBhbmQgbG9zZSB5b3Vyc2VsZiBpbiBwcmlkZSJ9" data-id="MediaPlatformAmplitudeButton"></nbtemplate></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

The story of the Prodigal Son is only half about him. The father’s genuine love and generosity throughout the story are beautifully displayed. He listens, blesses, waits, runs, embraces, celebrates and restores his son.
                His joy is complete, not based on his younger son’s behavior, but on his presence. He just loved his son. However, the crowd didn’t; nor did his brother.
                The story takes a strange pivot. After the...