JESUS, OUR HIGH PRIEST

Resumed…

The kiss here means kissing repeatedly. The Greek word used to describe how the father kissed the son is kissing over and over again. We have to bear in mind that the person telling the story is Jesus Himself. He wants to reveal unto us his heart towards his sons.

1. The father took a robe and covered his son. In the bible we know for sure that this rob denotes covering of righteousness. We have to bear in mind that the first thing that the son did was to recite his “confession speech,” and before he got started with his speech. The father was covering him with his rob of righteousness. This again brings us to the point that we once alluded to, “before you even confess you stand forgiven.”
2. The father gave the son a ring. According to the Jewish custom a ring is a symbol of authority. If a king removes a ring and slips it in your finger it signifies that the authority upon the king is now conferred to you. This action then qualifies the statement that says, as he is in heaven so are we here on this earth.

• He took on new shoes and dressed him in them. New shoes representing a new walk, which is the preparation of the gospel (good news) of truth.

 

The prodigal elder brother

He represents those who have been long in Christ but who don’t understand what sonship is all about.

1. We don’t have to work in order to qualify as sons but we emulate our Father because he has qualified us.

• The problem with the son is common to all men. This is the basis of men’s anger towards God. When things go wrong we go on in this way, “But God, I fast a lot, I pay my tithe, I am a good person, and you even know my good deeds. So why are you unjust with me.” this is what the brother was insinuating. Each time he took care of what was his, he thought he was trying to win his father’s approval, yet by virtue of birth, he was a son and therefore approved apart from having to toil towards that.
• BEAR IN MIND THAT GOD IS NOT MAN.
• You don’t have to work yourself to the bone in order to gain God’s favour.
• God has already accepted you based on what His Son did on the cross not what you do.

1. The elder brother heard music and dancing and he wasn’t happy. Its high time we did away with religion. We should turn up. They should be music and dancing in our churches.

• God wants for you to know that all that he has is yours. When you walk in that consciousness, when he blesses someone else you will never turn green with envy, for ALL THINGS ARE YOURS…

CONCLUDED…

Next a bit on I Samuel 1 regarding the issue of priesthood.