The Deception Of Proximity
by Pastor Andrew Wolfenbarger
09/15/2023
Luke 15:25 - “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.”
Luke 15:28 - “And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.”
Not long ago I went to a Ranger’s game with some friends. It was my son's first ever baseball game to attend in person. As you can imagine, throughout the game a child can get a little restless. It was early in the game when Thomas became hungry, and we left our seats to go to the concession stand. While we were ordering our food, I could hear the reactions of the crowd. When our pitcher would strike someone out, or our hitter would get a hit, the audience would cheer. I could hear what was going on inside, but I was as detached from the action as much as the man who had stayed home and not watched the game at all.
The story of the prodigal son is not primarily about the one who went into the far country. Jesus has in view the Pharisees and scribes according to verse 2. The elder brother is an example of people who assume that their proximity to the Father has earned them some level of favor, but the truth is, the elder brother’s self-righteousness had served as a substantial enough barrier to keep him alienated from the goodness of the Father. Notice in both of our key verses, that he is pictured outside of the house and away from the father’s kindness.
It is entirely possible to be in the house of God, surrounded by the praises of His people, and participating in the work of the Lord, but not to be a firsthand participant in the lovingkindness of God. It may be because of our pride or our bitter spirit against fellow Christians, but for some reason or another, we are on the outs. How sad it is that the elder brother refuses to approach the father on any other terms but his own. Because of his anger, the father had to come out and intreat him (which means “to comfort”). Amazingly the word ‘intreat’ comes from the same Greek word of the name that Jesus utilized when He referred to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter. What a picture we have of the Holy Spirit of God pleading with us to abandon our hardness and impenitence and come back into the loving presence of our Heavenly Father.
Don’t allow your proximity to church and the things of God to be confused with being in the right relationship with your loving heavenly Father. James 4:8 - “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
09/15/2023
Luke 15:25 - “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.”
Luke 15:28 - “And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.”
Not long ago I went to a Ranger’s game with some friends. It was my son's first ever baseball game to attend in person. As you can imagine, throughout the game a child can get a little restless. It was early in the game when Thomas became hungry, and we left our seats to go to the concession stand. While we were ordering our food, I could hear the reactions of the crowd. When our pitcher would strike someone out, or our hitter would get a hit, the audience would cheer. I could hear what was going on inside, but I was as detached from the action as much as the man who had stayed home and not watched the game at all.
The story of the prodigal son is not primarily about the one who went into the far country. Jesus has in view the Pharisees and scribes according to verse 2. The elder brother is an example of people who assume that their proximity to the Father has earned them some level of favor, but the truth is, the elder brother’s self-righteousness had served as a substantial enough barrier to keep him alienated from the goodness of the Father. Notice in both of our key verses, that he is pictured outside of the house and away from the father’s kindness.
It is entirely possible to be in the house of God, surrounded by the praises of His people, and participating in the work of the Lord, but not to be a firsthand participant in the lovingkindness of God. It may be because of our pride or our bitter spirit against fellow Christians, but for some reason or another, we are on the outs. How sad it is that the elder brother refuses to approach the father on any other terms but his own. Because of his anger, the father had to come out and intreat him (which means “to comfort”). Amazingly the word ‘intreat’ comes from the same Greek word of the name that Jesus utilized when He referred to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter. What a picture we have of the Holy Spirit of God pleading with us to abandon our hardness and impenitence and come back into the loving presence of our Heavenly Father.
Don’t allow your proximity to church and the things of God to be confused with being in the right relationship with your loving heavenly Father. James 4:8 - “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
Posted in Living for God, Relationship with Christ, The Church
Posted in Luke 15, proximity, presence, real, draw nigh
Posted in Luke 15, proximity, presence, real, draw nigh
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