The Other Son
I’ve heard tons of messages and had many Bible studies led that focused significant time on the story of the prodigal son. It has to be one of the top 10 most recognizable Bible stories. The story spends most of its time focusing on the rebellious son. He is the one who squanders away everything; he is the one who goes against the wishes of his father; and he is the one who receives the ultimate gift from his dad: grace.
This story is a perfect analogy for our redemption through Christ. We are the sinners who are in need of grace; we are the ones who continually rebel against the wishes of our Father; and we have received the ultimate gift from our Dad: grace.
Yet I can’t help but wonder…Christians love to think of themselves as sinners, depraved. Obviously you could include me in that. I mean look at the name of my blog “man of depravity.” BUT, I think most often I reflect the other son by the way I live selfishly. I was reading a book titled Deliver Us From Me-Ville and was reminded about how selfish I can be. I do some great things, but even they are filled with selfish desires.
This is how the brother reacts to hearing about the treatment of his long lost brother upon his return (NIV):
“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!”
In a nutshell, the other son’s response is me. I love to focus on myself, I love to think I have earned something, I love myself. I am humbled to look at this story from another perspective. Sure I’ve had my rebellious times (like the prodigal son), but most of the time I’m looking towards God wondering where my party is.
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Tyler Braun.
I’ve thought sometimes that I was the older son because I can get my undies in a wad when God shows someone grace that I don’t think deserves it. Which I know totally goes against the definition of grace to begin with. I think that is part of the motivation of the older son – “how can you celebrate him after all he’s done! he deserves punishment, not a party” kind of an attitude. It is hard for us to rejoice with one another at times…..I will admit this is true of myself at times and I hate it. I think it’s true that we all want to be celebrated. When we’ve remained faithful, it can be hard to see someone who hasn’t get the thing we think we deserve and maybe so deeply desire.
This is where we lose sight of it all…….when we begin to think we have anything at all to bring to the table…..we bring nothing.
Admit that I have been the other son too many times. Praying to die to self, and be filled with more of HIM. Sometimes I may even be more like Jonah, seeing the grace that God is showering on someone, when I think they should be punished..
as if I don’t. vey humbling post…thanks!
Great thoughts on the prodigal son. There was two sins in this story and we forget that we’re vulnerable to both. We like the prodigal son because he does come to his senses and come home,but when it comes to the older son we have a, “what a jerk kid” attitude towards him. But the truth is we’re just as selfish and self-serving as he is. Great post. Great perspective. Great thoughts.
You point out some great things here, Tyler. One of the coolest perspectives on this story is written in a book by Henri Nouwen. He bases his book, “The Return of the Prodigal Son,” on a painting that was done by Rembrandt centuries ago. He discusses the fact that some of us are the prodigal son (yes), but many more of us are the elder son (as pointed out) BUT what we are to become is the Father in the story. it’s an amazing perspective on one of the most beautiful stories Christ told. You should check it out. Good post there, sir.
Good stuff, Tyler. The thing I rarely see addressed is the question of whether the Prodigal got his inheritance back. I personally don’t think he did. The other son, meanwhile, still had his, although he didn’t appreciate that fact. He was too hung up on the mercy his father showed. Weird.
Everytime I come across this parable, I relate to the older brother. I get a “God what are you doing?” attitude. Then I realize I’m selfish and need to look at the whole picture. Then I look at my life and think “God what the heck?” again selfish, and need to look at the whole picture.
Ever wonder why Israel walked in a big circle in the desert for 40 years? To see what was in their hearts. Made them hungry and fed them with stuff that wasn’t so appealing (Duet 8)- miraculous stuff but after a while…
I used to think I was the older son. Realizing I was the younger was one of the best things that has ever happened to me.
“A freaking goat???”
that’s what I say every time I teach on Luke 15… this dude had everything he ever needed, and he was ticked about not having his very own goat party.