A Wrong Attitude
October 19, 2020
Commentary
The elder son comes in from the field to find a party for the younger son going on (vv. 25-28). In the illustration of the younger son in this passage, Jesus has made it clear that the publicans and sinners were guilty of the obvious sins of the flesh. At this point in the parable, he shows how the scribes and Pharisees were guilty of a wrong attitude and sins of the spirit (II Cor. 7:1). These scribes and Pharisees can see themselves in the person of the elder brother, who had his good and bad points.
The elder son was morally straight, a hard worker, and an obedient individual (v. 29). However, he was also proud and not willing to be thankful for his brother’s repentance. He would rather dwell on his brother’s sinful past instead of dwelling on his own sins. He was even angry because his father had forgiven his brother and was putting on a banquet to celebrate his return. He refused to go in and instead stayed outside and pouted. Because of this, he missed the joy of forgiving his brother and the restoration of the broken fellowship, as well as the joy of pleasing his father (vv. 30-32).
Even though obedience, hard work, and faithfulness are important, they are not the only test of character. Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord and to love others. The elder brother did the father’s will, but not with his whole heart (Ephesians 6:6).
Application
Do you know of anyone who seems to prefer nursing their anger to enjoying the fellowship of God and God’s people? It is so easy for me to nurture grudges and even get angry because someone has said or done something against me or someone close to me. Lord, help me to have a heart of love and compassion toward those who might be considered my enemies.
Luke 15:25– 32 (NET)
25 “Now his older son was in the field. As he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the slaves and asked what was happening. 27 The slave replied, ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he got his son back safe and sound.’ 28 But the older son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and appealed to him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look! These many years I have worked like a slave for you, and I never disobeyed your commands. Yet you never gave me even a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends! 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything that belongs to me is yours. 32 It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.’”
Illustration: The Dying Son’s Request
The story is told of an Eastern princess, whose child, a lad of a few years, lay smitten with the plague and dying. The mother stood a little distance away, yet forbidden by the physician to approach lest she also perish. As she stood with breaking heart looking upon her child, the little eyes opened and turned toward her tear-stained face. There was the loving face of her who had so many times dispelled his childish troubles and healed his bruises with her kiss. Why not now? The little arms went out toward her while the childish voice said, “Kiss me, mama, kiss me, mama.” The doctors have forbidden it and so she hesitates, still her heart yearns for the little sufferer. Again the voice of her darling entreats, “Kiss me, mama, kiss me.” What does she care about the doctors now. It is the last request of her dying boy and she clasps the little form to her heart and covers the fevered cheek with her kisses-and he dies. (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #8085).