Articles
The Prodigal Son and His Older Brother
“So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:20-24)
The lost son finds a new start here. Having squandered his inheritance, he wants to make himself a mere servant in his father’s house. But upon arrival at his father’s home, he finds more than he deserved and more than he could hope for. His father sees his repentance as an occasion for joy and forgiveness. There is no harsh word of rebuke from the father (for none is needed when the son already recognizes his wrongs!) The father doesn’t take pleasure out of saying “I told you so” (cf. 1 Cor 13:6). There are no strings attached to the ensuing celebration. The celebration of the prodigal son’s return is lavish and extravagant, and signals in no uncertain terms that he has been accepted as a full member of the family once again.
Would that the congregations of God’s people today had this kind of unbounded joy over a sinner who repents, or a new convert who turns to the Lord! When a person decides to put on Christ, that is not the time for questioning their sincerity (as if God needed our help with that!) It is not the time for cynicism and suspicion. It is the time for rejoicing and celebrating, as surely as the angels in heaven do so (Luke 15:10)! We must not hold ourselves aloof, waiting to see if the new believer is going to “stick around.” We must make them know the full force of Jesus’ command that our Christ-like love for one another be the mark of our discipleship (John 13:34-35).
Of course, some take exception to this idea. The new convert really needs to “prove” himself first before he will be taken seriously. Faith, repentance, and baptism might gain favor with the Lord, but some so-called “brethren” will require a little bit more before they accept the babe in Christ. This attitude is not new. The prodigal son had an older brother who thought this way (and then some!)
“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 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 became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” (Luke 15:25-32)
Of course, there is sense in which comparing any human with the older brother is itself preposterous, since no one can truly claim to have remained faithful in their father’s house the way he has. However, it is also clear from the context that Jesus actually intends for the older brother to stand in for the Pharisees, who were criticizing Jesus’ seemingly unbounded association with tax collectors and sinners (cf. Luke 15:1-2). The legacy of the Pharisees persists today. They are not in scripture as a historical curiosity, but as a warning to all religious people who are wise in their own estimation. The older brother personifies their worst qualities. He is angry at repentance instead of joyful (15:28). He is self-righteous, pointing out his own accomplishments (15:29). He is ungrateful and jealous, complaining that he has never received such special treatment (15:30). But he is not unique in human history. We too can be prone to such jealousy and wickedness if we forget that we too are the recipients of God’s grace.
The prodigal son’s repentance is described in terms of resurrection—“he was dead and has begun to live” (15:32). Repentance ought to provoke a joyful repentant reaction from all! But if it does not provoke such joy from us, it is a sign that we ourselves do not believe the scripture. As is said in the next chapter of Luke, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16:31).
Let us purpose in our hearts to welcome the repentant with joy!
