The Prodigal … and his Older Brother

Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11–32, is a story that’s relevant to all future generations. Prodigal means recklessly extravagant, yet the parable goes beyond that in meaning. At some time in our lives, like the prodigal son, we have had unwise ambitions, that desire to be completely self-governing, which is at the root of persistent sin. Romans 1:28: “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” All have thoughtlessly committed sin, departing from God’s Word. Romans 1:21: “For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” While in this sinful state, life becomes a place of constant discontent. Let’s reveal the people in the parable. The forgiving father remains constant throughout the story, a picture of our God. In telling the parable, Jesus identifies with God in His loving attitude toward the lost. The prodigal, the younger son, is like the tax collectors and sinners of that day. The elder brother represents the self-righteous: the Pharisees and teachers of the law of that day. The theme of the parable is not so much the repentance of the sinner, but rather the restoration of a believer into fellowship with our Heavenly Father. The younger son, in arrogance, says “give me” my share of the estate. He leaves home and destroys himself. Broke, starving, and fighting pigs for food, he “came to himself”. He knew his father’s servants had more food than him and he was dying. He decides to return home and ask his father for forgiveness. The father is always looking for his son to return. Recognizing him a far way off, filled with compassion, he runs to greet his son, embraces him, and kisses him. The son begins saying “forgive me”, but his father cuts him off and begins issuing commands to honor his son: the best robe, the best ring, the best feast! The father joyfully forgives him and receives him back into fellowship. The older son, in the field, hears music and dancing. He’s told his younger brother has come home and the celebration is over his safe return. The older brother becomes angry and refuses to enter the house. His father goes to his older son and pleads with him to come in. The older brother refuses. Why? You see, the older son’s actions reveal several things about him: His relationship with his father was based on his works and merit. He claims he kept all the rules and is a hard worker. He feels deserving of the party because he has earned it from works. He refuses to grant grace and forgiveness to his brother and now has bitterness towards his father. Two sons: one repents his sin and is forgiven; the other doesn’t believe he needs forgiveness. He remains outside alone, joyless, bitter, refusing to forgive, and now separated from fellowship with his father. This parable is one of Scripture’s most beautiful pictures of God’s grace. Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We are all prodigals in that we have run from God at some time in our lives, and to some degree, wallowed in sin. God is ready to forgive and He will save all that repent, not by works, but by His grace through faith.