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?
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
Thank you for bringing to light the older brother and the choice he had. It’s interesting how settling in to our broken relationships may seem the easy choice at first, but in the long-run I’ve never experienced it to be. The uncomfortableness of forgiveness and reconciliation isn’t easy, but so vitally important especially in the long run. As believers we are called to it!
So true. It is a choice, typically one that we cannot make on our own. It requires seeking the Father’s heart. He certainly has a long-term perspective: eternity! Thanks for highlighting that, Amy!
Goodness this was an excellent post! I never even considered what the older brother decided to do. I think relationships are important as Jesus said he came for reconciliation of God to his people. My daughter is coming here this weekend to see me. I have not seen her in over 6 years! We both almost allowed our pride & stubbornness to ruin our relationship. And yep it ties in very appropriately to last week on lament. I like to think that that older son went into that tent & welcomed his younger brother home.
What a wonderful story of reconciliation! I pray you both have a wonderful weekend together. I’ve been thinking about anger a lot recently (like last night when I needed to be sleeping). Some anger stems from pride and self-righteousness. Other anger stems from injustice and is healthy. Someone once told me that anger is what fuels our passions. Think of those that go into health care because they lost a loved one to disease, social workers, William Wilberforce, MLK Jr., and the list goes on. God gave us healthy anger so we can transform the world into a better likeness of His kingdom. Thank you for sharing, Susan. That was an encouragement.
Excellent point. I always thought we could learn as much from the elder son as we could from the youngest son. If we hold onto our anger, we only rob ourselves of joy. Thank you for this devotion.
Thank you for sharing, Glenda! I must admit, there have been times that I’ve thought, “but I just want to be angry!” It is easy, at least for me, to hang on to anger. In this way, this week’s post ties in nicely with last week’s on lament. It didn’t occur to me until just now. We need to present our anger to God. Then healing can begin and hearts can be changed, leading to joy. I’m so glad you pointed that out!