Don’t Allow Jealousy and resentment in the Church

Luke 15:25-32

The prodigal son was spiritually dead and separated from the heavenly Father because of his transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1). When he found himself rock bottom in sin, he came to his senses and declared that he would return to his father. He had lived a riotous life, wasting everything, and his sins now convicted him. His father never stopped looking for him to return. When he did, his father received him with compassion. He ran to him, embraced him, and showered him with kisses. The young “prodigal” confessed he was a sinner and repented.  His father’s love never stopped; he welcomed him back into the family, dressing him royally as a son and ordered the servants to prepare a celebration.

They began to be merry, and celebrated his son who “was dead and is alive again; was lost and is found” (v.24). The older son was in the field, and as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing (V.25). He called one of the servants and inquired about the meaning of this celebration (v.26). The servant told him that his brother had come home safe and sound; therefore, your father has killed the fatted calf to celebrate and rejoice (v.27).

The older son was angry and wouldn’t go in so his father went outside and pleaded with him (v.28). His answer to his father was that he had been serving him all these years and had never transgressed his commandment. “Yet you never gave me a young goat that I might make merry with my friends (v.29). But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots; you killed the fatted calf for him” (v.30). The older son’s words to his father were peppered with jealousy and resentment. The father had waited patiently for his younger son to return; now he was just and patient in his response to his older son. He told him that he is always with him, and all that he has is his older son’s (v.31). “It was right that we should make merry and be glad. Your brother was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found” (v.32). Fellow Believers, don’t allow jealousy and resentment in the church.