The Other Brother

 

Take a moment to seriously consider this question.  What is of deepest importance to you; right and wrong or relationships?  Do you find they are somewhat neck-and-neck in importance or does one greatly outweigh the other?

We can see through God’s eyes by reading His word.  Let’s dig into the parable of The Prodigal or Lost Son, but with a different perspective.  Let’s take a closer look at the older brother.  He is a character that is often overlooked, but can be more relatable for some of us (including myself).

The parable can be found in Luke 15.  We pick up after the prodigal returns home and is reconciled with his father.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

As a child of God, we are called to be like our Father; to share His heart.  The older son was part of his father’s household, but was nothing like his father.  This parable magnifies two extremes: the rebel and the self-righteous.  This is really a story of two lost sons.

Where was the older son and what was he doing when the younger returned home?  He was in the field, consumed in his work.  If we look back to verse 20, we see that the father saw the younger son “while he was still a long way off.”  He ran to his son.  The older son was not looking.  He had written off his younger brother.  In fact, when he sees the celebration, does the older son run in with anticipation?  No!  He pulls a servant aside and asks him what was going on.

What was the older son’s reaction when he learned his brother had returned?  He was spitting mad!  He states he had been “slaving” for his father.  There’s no relationship there.  It’s all about works.  It’s all about what the oldest son has done for his father.  The oldest son finds himself superior to the younger son.  Valuing right and wrong over relationships will lead to superiority.  Look, he doesn’t even claim his brother, calling him “this son of yours.”  He calls out everything the younger has done wrong and all he has done right.

How does the father respond to his son when he won’t come in to the party?  The father goes out and pleads with his son.  The father takes the initiative.  Again.  The father ran to the youngest.  He was also the one to initiate reconciliation with the oldest.

It is noteworthy to mention that the parable leaves us hanging.  It never concludes with the oldest son’s decision.  Does he storm away or does he join in the celebration?  This is a parable where you write the ending.  What will you choose?

Photo by Alvin Mahmudov

Our God is a God of forgiveness and reconciliation.  Let us make steps to share the Father’s heart.  Reconciliation is not easy.  The deceiver knows this and uses it to his advantage.  He wants to shatter relationships.  He convinces us to be content in broken relationships, to hang onto grudges.  God desires to heal and make whole.  God went through great lengths to reconcile us to Him.  We, too, are to carry on this ministry of reconciliation.  You may also have to go through great lengths.  You may need to be the one to initiate.  But if you do, you are mirroring your Father.   You are sharing His heart.  Nothing is more beautiful.

This week, take a step towards healing.  Share God’s heart.  Seek reconciliation where a relationship is broken or bruised.

God’s heart concerning reconciliation:
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
Ephesians 2:14-18
Matthew 5:23-24
Colossians 1:19-23
Romans 5:10-11