The Prodigal Son Part 2

00:00:00 Speaker 1: For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves are without understanding tewod Corinthians ten twelve. Heavenly Father, teach us Lord to resist the temptation of comparing ourselves with others, recognizing the folly and measuring our worth by earthly standards. Help us to seek your guidance in understanding our unique path and purpose. Grant us the humility to access our limitations and the courage to celebrate our individual strengths, which you have so graciously bestowed upon us. May we always find our value in your eyes. In the fleeting judgments of this world. Lead us to a deeper understanding of our true identity in You, free from the constraints of comparison, and rooted in the knowledge that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in Jesus' name. We pray Amen, Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast, featuring transformative stories inspired by the Gospel. Stay here for part two of our final parable, The Prodigal Son. Follow this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. Doing so will keep you updated, but also help us get discovered by more people. We want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world. Thanks for making that possible. This was the moment Jeremil had been waiting for. It was too late to turn back. 00:02:04 Speaker 2: Now, well, grant me my share of the estate, give me an advance what I have coming to me after you die. The words trickled down his lips and onto the floor. There was a long, drawn out silence that filled the room. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. What Jeremil had just expressed was his internal desire for his father to die, or, at the very least, for his relationship with his father to be severed so he could take his wealth and run. Jeremil might as well have said, I'm better off without you, or I can't wait for you to die. A Biothar closed his eyes and sighed. The moment hung in the air between father and son. When a Biothar opened his eyes, he leaned forward and stood to his feet, using his hands for support on his knees. 00:03:04 Speaker 3: My son, I will see to it that you have all you asked for. 00:03:11 Speaker 2: Said Abiathar. He then closed the space between them, grabbing Jeremil's forearm and pulling him into a tight embrace. Jeremil stood stunned in his father's arms. Was he dreaming? Was this really happening? Bather? Thank you? You have no idea what this means to me? He choked out, his words, muffled against his father's shoulder. Biathar pulled away and took his son's face in his hands. He said nothing. He gazed into his son's eyes with fatherly love, but there was something else in his eyes as well, betrayal and anguish. Biarthar wouldn't force his son to stay with him. What kind of father forces his children to love him? That is not truly love. 00:03:59 Speaker 4: Do we react to sinners in our lives? Do we react with judgment? Do we enable them? Do we hope for their demise? Or do we recognize that we are all sinners face planting through life in desperate need of a savior. This is the Jesus Podcast, Gospel inspired stories meant to challenge our faith and awaken our imagination. I'm Zach frompray dot com. If you've been enjoying this podcast so far, we would love it if you left a review, followed the podcast, and shared it with a friend. Today is part two of our parable finale through the story of the prodigal son. Last episode we met Abiathar, the father, and Jeremil, the youngest son. Today we meet Amnon, the do gooder, the good kid, the one who stuck around. While many people can relate to Jeremil's unruly and wild spirit, I personally relate to Amnon. He's done his best to do the right thing all of his life, so when he sees his younger brother squandering his father's wealth and gallivanting oft into the sunset, he's understandably bitter. What does Amnon's story have to teach us? And what is Jesus trying to communicate through him? Let's find out now. 00:05:06 Speaker 2: The hard soil gave way with a satisfying dull thud, sending an explosion of dirt and debris in all directions. Altering his grip on the hoe, Amnon swung the tool over his shoulder and sent it to the ground again. Sweat dripped off the end of his nose, but he didn't care. He had been out there for hours. The sun's rays scattered across the land. Its heat was palpable, but forgiving Amnon continued to swing. He was beside himself with rage the last few days. He had watched his little brother strutting around and crowing about his future exploits to anyone who would listen, all while their father diligently and inexplicably liquidated one third of his acids and began packing them into carts, wagons, and saddlebags on what would become his brother's lute train. Baffling. The entire situation was absolutely baffling. His brother had all but told their father he wished he was dead. It was unheard of to ask for his share of the estate while their father was still alive. It broke every natural and God honoring law they had. Amnin couldn't bear to even look Jeremil in the eye after he had heard what he had done. The disrespect he showed their father was more than he could bear. What made Amnen even more indignant was the fact that their father had let him go. He not only suffered this insult from his ungrateful, delinquent son, but then he granted his request. Amnon would have never allowed this kind of behavior, and though he would never admit it out loud. He felt heart broken, the pangs of sadness that only come when a lie you've been able to deny your entire life. His suddenly given credibility, the fear of being found second. The comparison between Amnin and his brother Jeremil had always been there, and it had always been a bit of a sore spot for Amnin. He knew he wasn't half as charismatic, or daring, or liked as much as Jeremil. And while he was safely following every rule, his brother was breaking them all. While Amnin was obedient and cautious, his brother was innovative and reckless. But the line's share of the accolades were laid at Jeremil's feet, and yet the boy still wanted more. Hard work would never be done. He always wanted a short cut to a legacy. His brother's mind was nothing short of foreign to Amnen, and yet it had all worked out in his favor. Jeremil was packing his bags, counting his coins, and rallying his posse, all the while Amnin was toiling away in the dust, worthless. He struck the ground grateful. He broke a stone lazy, he growled under his breath as he flung the hoe into the earth again. A distant voice broke through Amnon's self pitying thoughts. 00:08:15 Speaker 3: Amnon, young Master, I have news. 00:08:19 Speaker 2: With the hoe hanging limply at his side, Amnon rolled his shoulders back, feeling the bones in his neck and back crack as he straightened. He lifted a hand to block out the blinding sun as he turned to face the man at the edge of the field. What is it, he shouted back, reluctant to be disturbed. 00:08:40 Speaker 3: It's Jeamiel. He's departing. Hurry or you may miss him. 00:08:46 Speaker 2: The servant shouted anxiously. He was out of breath too. Undoubtedly Amnon's absence had gone unnoticed until the last moment, and this man was sent to fetch him, and. 00:08:58 Speaker 3: Not a thought was spared by Master Jeremiel to come and find me himself. 00:09:03 Speaker 2: Spat Amnin Master I, The servant seemed taken aback. 00:09:10 Speaker 3: It's fine, I'll come now that I've been summoned. Can't keep Lord Jeremiale waiting. 00:09:17 Speaker 2: He sunk his tool into the ground and started back towards the homestead. The roads connecting the fields were raised slightly, and as Amnin neared the top of the ridge, he was brought up short. A substantial dirt cloud was being kicked up around the caravan. About one hundred yards down the main road, his brother had already left. Turns out he wasn't even going to wait to say goodbye to his brother. Fuming, Amnin squinted through the dust, searching for his foolhardy little brother in the procession heading out of town. There he was seated atop a camel at the head of a column like a king. His share of the estate had broken down into coins, family heirlooms, pack animalimals, and other various goods. It seemed that Jeremil had convinced some of his empty headed friends to tag along on this misadventure as well. Good riddance, he murmured, So high and mighty his younger brother had become. He couldn't even stoop to bring his faithful older brother farewell. The slight stung, but it only fueled the bitterness kindling in Amnen's heart. He turned on his heel, biting back, warm tears brimming around his eyes. He marched back towards the patch of dirt. 00:10:33 Speaker 5: He may have his father's inheritance, but he will only get a curse from me. I just hope he realizes what a terrible grievance hees dealt this family before. 00:10:44 Speaker 3: He drives himself into an early grave. 00:10:47 Speaker 2: Amnon saw his father sitting on a stone bench at the top of the road beside the family home. He was sobbing, mourning the loss of his son. Amnon considered comforting him. His father's love for jeremil despite his disobedience, vexed him. He couldn't stand that the two received equal love for unequal devotion. Out of bitterness, Amnin turned away and returned to his work. Jeremiel looked out at the horizon with a procession of wealth behind him. He felt invincible. He couldn't wait to storm the port cities with his wealth. The first thing I will do is secure an a state, one with fountains and a courtyard large enough to host lavish parties. His companions, hungry for some of his riches, all nodded in agreement. Then, who we'll invest in new ventures and see my money double. Once I'm a titan of industry and famous for my wealth, I'll get more and more people just begging to do business with me. 00:11:52 Speaker 6: Jeremiale leaned his head back and laughed, Ah, think of a lads, the money, the women, the influence, The future is bright, gentlemen. 00:12:04 Speaker 2: His posse cheered their support for him would go as far as the coins in his purse. Jeremil departed the loving roof of his father's home and ventured into the world. He was painfully unaware that the world's freedom isn't true freedom at all. Tragedy would await him. 00:12:25 Speaker 4: I have four younger siblings. The next oldest is five years younger than me. All my life I got to watch my siblings get away with things I would have never imagined doing. I followed rules that they didn't even seem to be aware of, and that's because I had standards in my head that my parents didn't even set for me. Being the firstborn often comes with that sort of internal pressure to perform. The faithful Jews of Jesus's time lived similar lives to that. They didn't just follow the rules, They made up even more rules to accompany them. They were high achieving, faithful, and steady, but that all came at a cost. They help themselves to such high standards that watching others receive blessings for doing less made them bitter? Have you ever felt bitter when others get away with something you would have never considered doing? Have you ever felt contempt for people because they get all the love and attention. But you're the one who's been faithful and steady. It's hard to do so much while those who have done less get more reward. Amnon was the rule following, law abiding, over achieving older brother. Now is it wrong to be a rule follower? Of course not. Aren't we supposed to be high achievers? Sure, but following the rules shouldn't come from a need to be perfect, And being a high achiever shouldn't be to gain favor from God or seem better than others. You see, your heart matters. Matthew five one through twenty two says this. You have heard that it was said of those of old you shall not murder, or whoever murders will be liable of judgment. But I say to you that everyone who hates his brother will be liable of judgment. Amon was far too much of a rule follower to murder some one, but he certainly left plenty of room in his heart for hatred towards his brother. You may not be the type of person capable of physically harming someone, but that doesn't mean you're more righteous. You see, Jesus sets the heart as the standard. Here's the reality. We are all sinner, saved by grace. We all have shortcomings, habits and sins that hinder our reach toward God. Even if you are a rule following, high achieving, and growth minded person, you still have a lot to work on. We must all spend less time stoing in bitterness at someone else's sin and more time examining our own hearts. Only then will we be effective in the lives of others who need a helping hand from a bad lifestyle. Amnon is going to find himself ill equipped to help his brother when he comes running home in repentance. We never find ourselves in that same situation to self righteous and squeaky clean to extend a helping hand to people out of the muck and meyer. Join us next time for our final episode through the Parables, as we conclude the story of the prodigal Sun and run un into the loving embrace of the Father.