Age Beseeches Youth (Continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “Age Beseeches Youth” - there was yet another grief for the father (the “aged”) of the prodigal son (the “youth”) to bear. His older son became angry as jealousy reared its ugly head within him, and he refused to join in the rejoicing. Beloved, we must imagine the grief of the father as he witnessed his older son forfeiting wisdom for jealousy! The father had to explain to his “aged” son, who should have known better, “all that I have is thine” (Luke 15:31). The older (aged) brother should have realized that this was the wrong time to create a lamentable breach in the relationship between himself (the older saint) and his father (God) by not being there to assist his brother (the younger saint) to repentance. By rubbing their mistakes in their faces, older saints can sometimes cause younger saints to draw further away from God.

Chosen Ones, listen to the “aged” brother rub salt in his father’s wound as he complains about his younger brother’s mistake - “as soon as this thy son was come, which devoured thy living with harlots, Thou hast killed the fatted calf for him” (Luke 15:30). Yet, the lesson that the father tried to teach his jealous older son was that “age” is supposed to beseech “youth”. The older son hoped to make his father feel bad about rejoicing at the younger son’s return, rather than taking revenge on him. Yet, the older son did not get his wish - his father felt only joy that his son, who had been lost, was now found.

Precious Ones, now comes the father’s final heartache - listen to him as he reasons with his older son, “It was meet (necessary) that we should (be) merry, and be glad” (Luke 15:32). Beloved, when the “youth” fail, they need to know that someone will be glad (merry) to receive them and guide them in the right direction. They do not need someone who will suppress them by unforgiveness, but rather, they need an “aged”, mature servant of God who will stand ready to forgive their youthful transgressions, just as they themselves were forgiven in their youth.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this...

I love you all SO very much.

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy