The older brother looked faithful on the outside, but when his younger brother returned in repentance, his refusal to rejoice revealed what was really in his heart.
In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains how Jesus used the older brother to confront the Pharisees. Like him, they kept the outward forms of obedience while resisting the Father’s heart for lost sinners.
Remarkably, the father humbles himself for both sons—running to meet the younger and leaving the celebration to seek the older. In the same way, Christ humbled Himself for sinners of every kind, enduring the shame of the cross to reconcile both the far-off and the self-righteous to God.
Jesus leaves the story unfinished, but the invitation remains clear: the open arms of Christ on the cross welcome all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.
Prayer: Lord, I long to live for You because of the freedom and joy You have brought to my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found’” (Luke 15:31).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Enduring Wisdom, The Older Son: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW
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