father
I have just returned from the fields, tired, sweating over plow and oxen, and dirty with the dust.
My body aches, doing the work of two, labouring, while my playboy brother spends himself on women and sin in the city.
I don't really mind all that, but this music! Why such a pleasant harmony of sound of words and dance to such a disagreeable sight?
My bankrupt brother sitting there in the center - happy, clothed in robes, feasting!
son,
I know your discomfort, born at your brother's desertion, and hardened through months of extra toil. I understand your bewilderment at my joyful welcome now.
But will you understand, that more important than your discomfort, my joy, or his present happiness, is the sound of my music - this symphony - this harmony of sound; A picture of my desire, for the way my sons should harmonise in life together?
Heavenly Father,
I too, am distressed by my brother's waywardness, impatient with his stupid folly, appalled at his failures that add such grief and toil to my life. I long to please You - to do Your Will - but, those whose lives are linked with mine, make it so hard. Look at my mate, my children and parents, my banker, my boss, my neighbors, my parents, my children, my mate!
My fate seems to be one of seeing Your Will continually frustrated by those whose lives are joined to mine.
son,
Look away from yourself, Look to Me. Have you not yet understood my ways? Listen, and you will hear
MY music - the music of Praise, that unity of sound with which the whole of MY Creation rings, - and learn as you listen.
Such music is a picture to you of what pleases Me. I choose to live with such harmony ever in My ears.
So, let your selfish fears be displaced by the way of My Son - self-emptying love - who poured out his life as an offering to Myself. follow Him and you shall pour out yourself, your will and desires in worship to Me, to live with others, to die to yourself, to live reborn, and overcome your fears again.
Then, My Son's Word can live in you; "Where two or three of you are in complete harmony - a symphony of full agreement - on earth, about anything, all heaven shall move to respond. It shall be done for them. For there I am in their harmony.
Symphonia
Greek word meaning - "the harmony of sounds in music"
Later, it came to be used for "agreement" between people, in economic dealings, "contract."
Used in Jesus' teaching:
Luke 15.25; "and when he returned from the fields, he heard music (symphonia) and dancing."
Matthew 18.19; "if two of you on earth agree, (symphoneo - the verbal form of symphonia) concerning anything, whatever they ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven."
