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Author: Stephen Weller
710 words, 4 minutes read time

An Unhappy Older Son

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

In the previous lesson we witnessed a great celebration because of the younger son’s return with a heart of repentance, but the celebration angers the older son when he learns that it is for the return of his younger brother.

^{Lk 15:25} “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ 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.’”

In previous studies we encountered tax collectors and sinners (verse 1), and Pharisees and scribes (verse 2) and wrote about their relationship to Jesus. In this parable, Jesus uses two sons to represent these two groups of people. The younger son represents the tax collectors and sinners and the older son the scribes and Pharisees. From verses 1 – 3, we know that both groups were listening to Jesus as he shared the parable. Of the two groups, the Pharisees and scribes were probably the primary intended audience of this parable. The lost sheep (verses 4 – 7), the lost coin (verses 8 – 10), and the younger (prodigal) son (verses 11 – 32) all correspond to lost sinners being found by Jesus and are invited into the kingdom of God.

The older son comes in from the field and hears music and realizes there is a celebration going on and wonders why. He calls one of the servants and learns that his younger brother has returned home safe and sound and that his father has killed the fattened calf and invited guest.

^{Lk 15:28} “But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, ²⁹ 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. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’”

The older son’s anger was towards the father for celebrating the return of a son who has committed such horrible sin. He is also angry for not being honored with a fattened calf for him for his obedience and hard work. Were not the Pharisees and scribes resentful and showed anger toward Jesus for not being recognized for their obedience in keeping the law? Did not both the older son and the Pharisees and scribes see more importance in their position than reaching out to a sinner in need of repentance? Here stands a repentant son and the older son sees only his former sin and rejects him.

The picture before us, that Jesus is painting with this parable, shows a sharp contrast between mercy and grace extended by the father (representing God the Father) and the self-righteous resentment of the older brother (representing the Pharisees and scribes). In his self-righteousness, the older son refuses to acknowledge his brother by referring to him as “this son of yours.”

^{Lk 15:31} “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³² It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Showing affection, the father reaches out to his older son and appeals to him, showing that he is still loved and wants him to join the celebration and show forgiveness toward his brother. By this Jesus is showing that he is still inviting the Pharisees and scribes to repent and accept the good news he is bringing to them.

Conclusion

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 ESV). The younger brother clearly sinned, but he repented and returned. The older brother’s sin may not be so evident, but it remains. The one who is looked down upon, and will experience persecution, is the one who repented and has found life. Which brother represents you?