The Other Brother

When the parable of the prodigal son is discussed, usually all of the emphasis is put on the youngest son. After all, the younger son was the one who demanded his inheritance before his father was dead. He left home,recklessly spent all his money, realized the error of his ways, and returned home to his father. Yes, this younger prodigal son is indeed a large part of this parable, but there is another son who tends to be ignored.

After the younger son rudely asked his father for his inheritance, the father "divided his property" between his two sons. Unlike his younger brother, the older brother didn't run off and squander his money. Instead, he dutifully stayed home and worked for his father. Luke 15:20 says "But while he (meaning the younger brother) was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him." In order to have spotted his returning son from such a distance, the father must have been looking for him. The older son must have watched in disgust every day as his father watched and waited for the return of his younger son. Here he was, a loyal son working for his father, and his father was still giving attention to the son who had abandoned them!

Once the older son found out that his father had forgiven his younger brother, he must have been furious. It wasn't right for his brother to march back home and be forgiven so easily! The older brother was working out in the fields when he heard music and dancing. He asked a servant what was going on, and found out that his father was throwing his brother a party. This was the icing on the cake. He threw a fit. He wasn't ready to forgive his brother yet, let alone attend his welcome home party. Like a four year old, he sat outside and pouted. His father came out and asked him to join the party. The older brother refused. In Luke 15:29-30 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!" His father replied in Luke 15:31-32 " 'My son,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."

Even though the older brother seemed to be a perfect son, it turns out that he didn't really have a good relationship with his father. He didn't know his father well enough to understand his love for his youngest son. He didn't even know his father well enough to know how much he loved him, and that he could come to his father with any request.