The Parable of the Older Brother

The Parable of the Older Brother

In Luke Chapter 15, Jesus tells three parables about lost things. They are usually called the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Parable of the Lost Coin, and the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Jesus tells of a shepherd with 100 sheep who, losing one, seeks and finds it, and rejoices.  He tells of a woman with 10 coins who, losing one, seeks and finds it, and rejoices. Then he describes a man with two sons who loses one, the younger, to the allure of unearned wealth and reckless living. After squandering all, this son finds himself—penniless, starving, feeding pigs while he remains unfed—and returns humbled and repentant to his father, hoping only to become a hired man. But his father is watching for him, welcomes him home and rejoices.  His part of the story ends in Luke 15:24, “‘For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’  And they began to celebrate.”

We understand that the younger son represents a rebellious sinner, and the father represents our Heavenly father. The welcome banquet represents the joys of Heaven. These parables tell us of God’s yearning for the lost, his abundant grace to the repentant, and the joy of God and Heaven when the lost are restored.  The Parable of the Prodigal is a favorite of many. It’s a particular comfort to those who have been rescued from their own wandering, and those of us with family or friends who are yet astray.

But there is a fourth lost one in Luke 15, and he is the focus and purpose of the whole chapter. Note the reason why Jesus chose to tell these parables. Luke 15:1 tells us, “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.” They were some of the lost whom Jesus came to seek and save (Luke 19:1). “And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’”  Their response to sinfulness was to withdraw from it, not to interact with it. So, Jesus tells them these parables to rebuke their response.

The older brother of the Prodigal, who had remained at home and obedient to his Father, enters the account in verse 25. How did he react to his brother’s return?

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in.

His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

The Pharisees’ attitude to the sinners and tax collectors was just like the older brother’s reaction to the return of the Prodigal. It is a very human reaction: “It’s not fair! They did wrong. They should be punished. They should struggle for any restoration. They should be consigned to a lesser place forever.”  But God’s reaction is not like the human reaction. The Lord welcomes the lost with joy.

The father’s words to the older brother are Jesus’ plea to the Pharisees.  You have lost nothing.  You have the reward of being with me. You still have the Law and the promises, and the path to salvation if you take it. Don’t resent others for their salvation, rejoice with me and the Father in heaven.

The application to the Pharisees is clear. What is the application to us? When we look around us at the world we live in, we too can be tempted to feel that we are the righteous who deserve to be in God’s kingdom, and the willful sinners in the world deserve the fate that they are pursuing. It’s a natural reaction, but it’s not the reaction God wants for us.  The Lord would have us look compassionately at the lost, hope and work for their salvation, and remember this: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph 2:8-9).”

What is the fate of the older brother?  At the close of the parable, the Prodigal brother is inside feasting with the father, rejoicing.  The older brother is outside in darkness, full of anger, self-righteousness, and bitterness.  He is outside not by the judgement of the Father, but by his own choice.

-  Scot Ruska

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Who Is Your Friend ?

Would a doctor be your friend if he knew you had a deadly disease and did not tell you?  Would your banker be your friend if he knew you were about to invest in a failing enterprise and still let you do it?  Would a lawyer be your friend if he knew about a flaw in the title but permitted you to buy a property anyway?  Would someone be your friend if they knew you were following error in your religion and never brought it to your attention?

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Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll
get run over if you just sit there.

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