30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 15 11-32 To seek and the save the lost - The prodigal son 29 The passion of Christ
📖 Luke 15:11-32
11Mar2020 - *The passion of Christ* - _Luke 15:11-32_ - Bible reading: _Matthew 9:35-38_
_Luke 15:25-32 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. (26) So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. (27) And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' (28) "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. (29) So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. (30) But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.' (31) "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. (32) It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.' "_
The younger son had returned and the celebration had begun. We now turn our focus on the elder son. Look at the contrast between the response of the father with that of the elder son, on the return of the younger brother. The elder brother was not in tune with the heart of the father at all. He did his duties but there was no relationship with his father. He was in the house but he never knew his father.
The Lord was concerned for the Pharisees and the Scribes. All the three parables in Luke 15 was spoken to them, in order that they will come into a deep, intimate, love relationship with God and be so in tune with his concern, which is to seek and save the lost.
```If you do not have the passion of Christ, which is to seek and save the lost, then you are the elder brother.```
The elder brother maintained a lukewarm, distanced relationship with his father. Being in the house and doing duties, dutifully, but without a close, intimate love relationship with the father, is not an option. _Revelation 3:15-16 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. (16) So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth._ There are many in the church, who are busy in various activities and programmes of the church, but are not in a deep, intimate love relationship with God. They will be spewed out.
The elder brother should have been excited and thrilled, just as his father was, that his younger brother had come home. Instead, this news made him angry and he would not join the celebration. He did not want to meet his younger brother at all. He saw himself far superior to his younger brother, whom he saw as a prodigal and as a philanderer.
_(Please read Psalm 126)_ Our joy must be the joy of God’s heart that the lost are being found. _Matthew 9:35-38 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (36) But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (37) Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (38) Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."_ The Lord desires for labourers, who will be in tune with His passion.
Is seeking and saving the lost your passion?
*Thought to ponder*
```Pride prevents us from coming into a broken love relationship with Jesus.```