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サマリー
あらすじ・解説
(This is the end of the familiar story we know as the Prodigal Son.)
But while he was a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. He ran unto his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to a servant, “Quick, bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fatted calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate, for this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate. Meanwhile, the older brother was in the field. When he came home, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. “Your brother has come,” he replied, “and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has been brought back safe and sound.” The older brother became angry and refused to go in so the father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, “All these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders, and you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you killed the fatted calf.” “My son,” the father said, “you're always with me and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad because the brother of yours was dead and is alive.He was lost and is found.”Jesus’s parable is aimed squarely at the Pharisees. I'm no Pharisee, but I am an older brother, and I can relate. As a child, I suffered the hands of both parents for any particular transgression. When it became my brother’s turn, not so much.
I suppose I sought some type of release in school since the drumbeat from home was “work hard, pay attention, work hard, pay attention.” I went on to be named student of the year and consecutive years in junior high, and my classmates selected me for the National Honor Society president in high school. My brother, not so much.
The message of Jesus parable is of mercy and forgiveness.This world is a place filled with traps and snares to hold us back. I know. I have struggled with them and can relate to the older brother.
Heavenly Father, you sent your only son the Messiah to be your messenger.He brought us his own commandment to love one another as I have loved you.Help us to overcome the struggles of this world to love our sisters and brothers and rejoice when they have found peace with you. Amen.
This devotion was written and read by Sam Barto.
Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.
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