{"id":40696,"date":"2021-03-18T18:01:40","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T22:01:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lent.fll.cc\/?p=40696"},"modified":"2025-04-09T09:49:02","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T13:49:02","slug":"our-journey-home-day27","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lent.fll.cc\/en\/our-journey-home-day27\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 27 – The Bitterness of the Hardened Heart"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”4px||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”-9px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”3px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/lent.fll.cc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lent2021_BannerStage_4.jpg” title_text=”Lent2021_BannerStage_4″ align=”center” admin_label=”Banner-image” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_nav in_same_term=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_nav][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”24px||17px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#ab3b07″ custom_margin=”||38px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Day 27 – The Bitterness of the Hardened Heart<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”\u5ee3\u6771\u8a71” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Cantonese<\/strong>

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”\u666e\u901a\u8a71\/\u570b\u8a9e” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Mandarin<\/strong>

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”English” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

English<\/strong>

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fold” global_colors_info=”{}”]Yesterday, we witnessed the huge change in the younger son. In him, we see what true repentance should be like. It is his determination and the resulting actions that moved his father's heart. The father looked beyond his sinful past in order to receive this penitent son with wide open arms. The father understood that it was much easier for this son to permanently walk away from him.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/lent.fll.cc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/morning-back-sunset.jpg” title_text=”forgiveness” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”zoom” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blockquote” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fold” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Facing the huge damages done which required extraordinary effort to make up, the younger son could have simply chosen the easy way out by escaping from his sinful past. Instead he chose to face it head on, and to face it every day of his life in his father's house. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fold” global_colors_info=”{}”]By choosing to come back, the son not only needed to submit himself to his father, but he would also likely be under his brother's rule or even some of the hired workers he ill-treated before. His life would be miserable to say the least. All these did not deter him from mending his relationship with the father. That moved his father. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blockquote” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fold” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

His father treasured all these and his son\u2019s humility and contrite heart. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fold” global_colors_info=”{}”]The brother, however, perceived things differently. Imagine how he felt when he witnessed his younger brother demand his share of the inheritance and how his father surrendered to that absolutely outrageous demand. The elder brother must be furious! This wayward brother did not work but he got the reward which he did not deserve in the first place. He must be mad at both his brother and his father. To him, the whole situation was totally absurd and made him sick.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|on|off” admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blockquote” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fold” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

His anger confined him in the past. He could not move beyond this unresolved history. He was incapacitated by his self-righteousness and resentment.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fold” global_colors_info=”{}”]To him, this kind of sinful action should not be allowed to happen, let alone tolerated and forgiven! From the moment this incident occurred, this elder brother must have been living in bitterness and grudges. He was only sustained by his loyalty to his father and by following the rules. He could barely go through each day by swallowing his anger resulting from that grave injustice in his eyes. The whole situation bothered him so much that he needed to be buried in his work in hopes that one day his years of labour would finally be paid off with his share of the inheritance, the remaining wealth of his father. That is why he paid so much attention to the whereabouts and news of his brother even though his brother was in a distant country. Notice that he knew his brother wasted all his father's property with prostitutes! (Luke 15:30) How would he know if he did not spy on his brother? Knowing all these were happening, he harboured intensified anger against his younger brother. He could not stand to think about it, let alone seeing his brother's return to the father's house and was accepted without any consequences. "What?! Celebration?! That is insane!" he exclaimed. "Will this crazy son threaten my share of the father's property?" he thought to himself. <\/p>\n

At this point, you might also share the anger and sentiments of the elder brother, which is understandable. That is why this parable is also known as the "Parable of the Prodigal Father". But imagine what would happen if the father felt the same as the elder brother did. What would have instead happened to the younger son when he returned home? How would the story be different? And would the resulting story be a parable Jesus would use to illustrate the Father's Heart and His lavish love for us? That is something for us to ponder…[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ab3b07″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” disabled=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”(\u8def\u52a0\u798f\u97f3 15:20-22)” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”42px” admin_label=”QUOTE -testimonial module” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#ab3b07″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_padding=”|100px||100px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|60px||60px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|50px||50px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u96e2\u7684\u9084\u9060\u7684\u6642\u5019\uff0c\u4ed6\u7236\u89aa\u5c31\u770b\u898b\u4e86\u4ed6\uff0c\u52d5\u4e86\u6190\u61ab\u7684\u5fc3\uff0c\u8dd1\u4e0a\u524d\u53bb\uff0c\u64b2\u5230\u4ed6\u7684\u8116\u5b50\u4e0a\uff0c\u71b1\u60c5\u5730\u89aa\u543b\u4ed6\u3002\u5152\u5b50\u5411\u4ed6\u8aaa\uff1a\u7236\u89aa\uff0c\u6211\u5f97\u7f6a\u4e86\u5929\uff0c\u4e5f\u5f97\u7f6a\u4e86\u4f60\uff0c\u6211\u4e0d\u914d\u518d\u7a31\u4f5c\u4f60\u7684\u5152\u5b50\u4e86\uff01\u7236\u89aa\u537b\u5429\u5490\u81ea\u5df1\u7684\u50d5\u4eba\u8aaa\uff1a\u4f60\u5011\u5feb\u62ff\u51fa\u4e0a\u7b49\u7684\u888d\u5b50\u4f86\u7d66\u4ed6\u7a7f\u4e0a\uff0c\u628a\u6212\u6307\u6234\u5728\u4ed6\u624b\u4e0a\uff0c\u7d66\u4ed6\u8173\u4e0a\u7a7f\u4e0a\u978b\u3002<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title: \u53cd\u601d” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#ab3b07″ custom_padding=”20px||20px||false|false” animation_style=”slide” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

REFLECTION<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/lent.fll.cc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/soil.png” title_text=”\u7530” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”zoom” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fold” global_colors_info=”{}”]If you were the younger son, what would have prevented you from finally arriving at the father's house?<\/p>\n

Are you like the elder brother being trapped in some form of bitter past or resentment against someone?<\/p>\n

Are you disturbed by the unfairness the father displayed towards the elder son by forgiving the wrongdoings of the younger son?[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fold” global_colors_info=”{}”]