We all know the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus didn’t title the parable, we did. But the parable talks about two sons and perhaps both are distant from the Father. Perhaps both are prodigals.
The younger one did what perhaps the older one always desired to do, but never had the courage to do it. He wanted to party with his friends, too, but never dared to express that desire. He wished to use his Father’s wealth for his own pleasures just as his younger brother did, but he also wanted to live under the facade of self-righteousness wearing the virtue signaling mask of moral superiority.
The younger son took what he did not deserve.
The older son complained that he didn’t get what he thought he deserved.
The younger son’s sin was rebellion. He repeated the sin of Adam and Eve: “I want to get something that is not mine.”
The older son’s sin was resentment. He repeated the sin of Cain: “Why did my brother get something I did not get? Why is life not fair to me?” Resentment leads to murder. Cain’s heartfelt resentment led to the first murder in the Bible – a murder within the family.
The older brother in the parable is resentful toward the his Father and also toward his brother – he is just like Cain.
Both sons wanted something that is not theirs.
Both sons rejected something which was present for them: the fellowship of the Father.
Both sons focused on what they could get (the Father’s wealth).
Both sons rejected who they could be with (the Father).
Both sons loved what they could get, but didn’t not love the One who could give it.
Both sons were selfish and prideful. The younger son in an open, rebellious way. The older son in a “self-righteous”, virtue signaling, resentful, pharisaic way.
Rebellion and Resentment – both prove that we are far from the Father’s house; we are far from our real home. In the Father’s home there is joy, celebration and peace. Rebellion and resentment can’t enter into the Father’s house.
The younger son knows he is far from the Father’s house.
The older son thinks he is always in the Father’s house.
We all are prodigals when getting from the Father is more important to us than being with the Father.
It’s harder to recognize that we need to come home when we think we are at home. Resentment, hatred, pride, selfishness and rebellion in the heart are sings that we are far from our home.
Which prodigal are you? The rebellious younger one or the resentful older one?
The Father…
…leaves his house for to both,
…invites both into his house of joy and
…wants to hug them both. (Luke 15:20 & 28)
But only the one who knows he is far arrives home.