The Story of God预览

Both sons only seem interested in what they can get from their Father. One takes his inheritance and abandons the family, returning when he is destitute. The other remains but describes his relationship towards his father as 'slaving away for you'. He is jealous when his brother is lavished with love and celebrated with the fattened calf. He doesn't make the most of the opportunity to enjoy his father's love; he lives in bitterness, technically obedient but entitled and angry.

Yet the father loves them both and gives them both everything he has, urging them to come into the party to celebrate with him. He goes to both of them, the younger one when he sees him a long way off, the older one when he hears he's sulking in the field.

We are like these two sons, treating our heavenly Father as a vending machine for our pleasure. Living selfishly, and too often with bitterness in our hearts towards God because we believe we deserve better.

Yet our heavenly Father has given us his own Son, and Jesus was crucified so that we could be reconciled with God. This parable powerfully portrays God's love for stubbornly selfish people.

Questions:
How does selfishness manifest in your life - like the younger brother or the older brother?

How does this parable reassure you of God's love and generosity?