The Prodigal Son Part 1

A compliant child...

Luke 15:11-32  Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 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. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 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.’”

Over the years, every time I read this passage, I feel sorry for the older brother. I'm sure I can't be the only one out there that's thought he got forgotten along the way in this story.  I've given it a lot of thought over the years. In fact, it's bothered me quite a bit.  I've heard enough sermons to understand the point Jesus was making - there is rejoicing in the Kingdom when a wayward child comes to the Father.

But what about the child who didn't stray?  What about the child who didn't squander?  The child who was loyal and steadfast and obedient?  What about that person???  Many of us have been able to identify with him more than the wayward son.  We aren't rebellious or demanding.  We are cooperative and obedient.  We are helpful and reliable and appropriate.  We would never imagine doing the things the Prodigal Son represents.

So here are my thoughts from the perspective of the Older son:
*He stayed to help the family
*He was a good steward of what he had
*He was trustworthy with others' things (money, items)
*He was responsible and did what he was told to do
*He was faithful and loyal
*No one ever had to worry about the choices he was making
*No one ever had to bail him out of poor choices

It was clearly not fair that the one who screwed up was celebrated.
The Older Son was treated as if it was expected that he would never behave the way the Prodigal Son had, but when the brother acted out, he got a party?!?

These are the thoughts that have run through my head over the years.  I wonder if the Older Son ever felt like "what's the point?"  After he sees the celebration of his screw up brother, I'd think he'd want a chance to go out and enjoy life a bit too.  Especially if it didn't appear to have any negative consequences.  Here he had done everything right, everything expected of him, and it never even mattered in the eyes of his father.

At first glance, there seems to be some very well deserved righteous anger going on here.  This poor guy has worked and worked, remained at home, making a life on his father's land, helping the family, all while the brother got out of his own responsibilities and "sowed his wild oats."  And the rejection!  This good son is still working in the field while everyone else is celebrating.  They never even came out to get him!  He had to walk up and find the party in full swing, ask about the commotion, learn of his brother being the guest of honor, and no one even thought to invite him!  What a big thank you and slap in the face!

Yes, I have had a few problems with this story in my life.  Often because I have felt just this way.  I've done the right thing (or tried to do more right than actual defiance).  I've worked more than I've played.  I've stayed when I've wanted to leave.  And I've watched others run amok, ignore the rules, be selfish, hurt others, all in the name of themselves and their fun; and then watch those same people come back with their tail between their legs, asking for help out of the mess they created, expecting and getting!!! a full pardon from the ones they abandoned on their journey of 'self discovery.'  Let me tell you, it is not enjoyable being the Older Son.

But as The Lord has matured me and my thinking, as He has guided my studies and my healed my hurts, He has shown me that there is more to this story.  For instance, there's jealousy.  The Older Son worked hard and now he's upset that the Prodigal Son got to have all the fun AND was welcomed home as a hero.  That didn't go over well.  And how about pride?  Here's a guy who thought that he was sooo much better because he'd never screwed up like his brother had.  Again, not very pretty.  And as much as I'd like to say that his anger was truly righteous, I'm afraid it wasn't.  He wasn't angry because something wrong had been done - he was angry because something wrong had been made right. 

Think about that for a moment.

And then join me for Part Two of The Prodigal Son.