The Older Brother
A Familiar Parable
The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 is a familiar parable. Like many of Jesus’s other parables, it confused me at first. I understood that the father in the story was a representation of God Himself, revealing the greatness of His love, mercy, and grace. I didn’t yet know this good God except in theory, because I didn’t know how to experience Him. I saw God as a Father who spoke words of love yet dismissed or used me for His purposes, according to His whims. There didn’t seem to be much difference between Him and my earthly human father.
The Older Brother and Me
It is no wonder then, that I identified with the older brother in the parable. When the father of the story runs to the younger rebellious, then repentant son, offering welcome and a party, I felt resentment. I cried, “Not fair!”
We read in verses 25-30 (ESV), “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!”’
Performing to Gain Value
Like the older brother, my way of trying to appease my earthly father, and as it turns out, my Heavenly Father, was to do everything I was told. If I’m compliant, then he/He will be pleased, and all will be well. I will have earned favor. I will be safe. And I may even experience being valued.
What I eventually learned was that the older brother and I had it all wrong. At least with the true Father represented in the parable. We were already cherished. Our efforts to please Him clouded our vision of Him. Instead of our efforts being rooted in the confidence of His love, they were instead motivated by fear of His rejection or disapproval. And perhaps we felt like He owed us. Whenever we work to earn, we want what we believe is due us.
Remembering God’s Gracious Acceptance
Every time I find myself envying someone for what they are given, I realize I have fallen back into the older brother role. I have forgotten God’s great love and grace. I have tried to earn God’s pleasure and am looking for God to give me what I believe I deserve. I have forgotten His generosity to me. I covet. My pride in believing I should have more than I do is revealed.
In Luke 15:31, the father says to the older son, “‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” Do I believe that? All that is God’s is mine? Because of Jesus’s work on my behalf, the Holy Spirit dwells inside me. He has given me a new heart and a new spirit. He has imputed and imparted to me His righteousness and holiness. I am a full heir. I am His own. No other heir has more or less of God and His lavish love than me. We are equally valued by Him. And the price for these eternal gifts to us was paid by His beloved Son. No greater love can we experience than Someone who lays down His life for us.
When fear or shame displays itself in my mind and heart, I can remind myself of the greatness of God’s love and grace. I didn’t earn it. It came from the heart of God for me. I can’t lose it because He is unchangeable. He will never stop loving or valuing me. I only need to rest in it. As I do, the envy, fear, and shame lifts and I am free. Free to receive and experience Him as the perfect Father that He is.
Colossians 1:12 “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”
Photo by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash