… as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. (Luke 15:25)

           The parable of the prodigal son provides many lessons of encouragement to us as sons and daughters of the Father. We watch the earthly father run to welcome his son who is returning home from a life of sin. Never once does the father mention the son’s sin and failure.
           And, in addition, the father has ordered a celebration to be held in honor of the son. The fattened calf is killed and cooked. The son is dressed in beautiful new clothes and given a ring on his hand, the symbol of authority. This, of course, is what our Heavenly Father does for us, His children whom He knew before the world began (John 17:6, 9; Ephesians 1:4). We are those who, like the son, were “dead” and “lost” in the world. We have been made alive by the Spirit and have been “found” by the Son (1 Corinthians 12:3; Luke 19:10). We have been clothed in Christ’s robe of righteousness and given authority to reign as joint-heirs with Him in His kingdom.
           And, as the elder son drew near to his father’s house, he heard “music and dancing.” The Greek word for music is symphonia. It is the basis for our word symphony, a sounding together in agreement, in harmony. What a thrilling truth lies hidden here for us! In the Father’s house there is harmony, a unison of sound, voices of celebration, praising the Savior!
 We read in Revelation 5:9-14 that the elders are singing a song at God’s throne, in unison. And they are praising Christ for the privilege of reigning with Him on earth. Imagine the sound of that heavenly music!
           Another important element for us to see is that those in the earthly father’s house were all in agreement with what brought joy to the father. The one outside the house, in the field, was the elder son because he was not in agreement with the father.
           The prophet Amos raised a rhetorical question, Can two walk together, except they are agreed? (Amos 3:3). And the apostle Paul raises similar questions, And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? (2 Corinthians 6:15-16a KJV). The Greek word for concord is symphonesis! No harmony can exist between the children of God and the children of the devil.
           In the body of Christ we are gifted with the ability to harmonize together for the glory of God.
          Lord, help us to be heavenly music-makers for your glory!

Glenna Salsbury

Christian Speaker, Writer for “Real Victory for Real Life” 
365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick
VOLUME 2
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