A Relationship, Not a Job
“And he [the older son] answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he [the father] said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (Luke 15:28-31)
The older son was angry at dad’s response to his brother’s return. Let’s forget the prodigal for a minute, though, and think about the father and older son. The older son is loyal to Dad and obeys and serves him. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was he saw dad as a boss to obey, not as a father to love. His first words were, “Lo, these many years do I serve thee,” No doubt that was true, but then came the accusation about the kid.
And how did dad respond? His first word was, “Son.” not “employee,” “SON.” (capitals added) There’s a big difference between an employee and a son. Then, “thou art ever with me,” The older brother could fellowship with dad where he was. His brother couldn’t do that in the far country.
Moreover, dad was apparently rich. He said, “…all that I have…” which meant he probably had a lot. He also said, “…all that I have is thine.” which meant he doubtless would have gladly given the older son a kid without blinking an eye IF THE OLDER SON HAD ASKED FOR ONE.
The older son was obedient and loyal, but he obviously lacked the joy of fellowship with his dad. He enjoyed fellowship with his friends, who were probably decent guys, but not with dad. If your kids always obeyed, helped around the house, did well in school, and never gave you grief but also never said they loved you or showed any interest in you, wouldn’t you consider that a problem?
Sometimes Christians may think of God as the older son thought of dad. Yes, we should obey and serve God, but fellowship with Him is what makes the Christian life joyful: “…and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:3-4, boldfaces added) Christians can strive to do right and obey and even serve the Lord, but if fellowship with God is lacking, joy in Christ will likely be, too.
We fellowship with God by reading His Word. The next time you read the Bible, don’t just read it. Ask the Lord to show you something to help you, and trust Him to do so. The Bible is NOT a set of dos and donts. God will use it to give you words of comfort, encouragement, guidance, and hope.
We also fellowship with God in prayer. God wants to hear what troubles you. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” One famous hymn has these words,
“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear,
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” Joseph M. Scriven, 1855
When you receive Jesus as Saviour, you enter into what’s supposed to be a joyful relationship, not a job. If you want to know how to become a child of God by receiving Jesus as Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 2/24/2022
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822