We all know the story of the Prodigal Son, how he asked for his inheritance, traveled to a far country and squandered his substance. He lived a life with no rules. Then his money ran out and he had to take a job feeding swine. When he came to himself, he decided to go home. After going home and apologizing to his father, his father threw a party to celebrate.
There’s another family member we need to look at, the older brother. In a family with two children, imagine the sibling rivalry. One a goody-two-shoes and the other just the opposite. One doing everything to please and the other rebellious in all things. One a hard worker and the other watching TV and playing video games. One always trying to out-do the other. They never showed affection for each other because they were not friends, just brothers.
When was the last time you said “I love you” to your sister or brother? When was the last time you spent quality time with a family member? When was the last time you forgave your sibling for some childhood prank? When was your last call?
When the father saw the attitude of the older son, he tried to convince him to come in the house and join the celebration but he would not.
The older son’s complaint was that the younger brother left home, spent all his money and now that he’s back, he gets the best meat for a party and the good clothes reserved for our guests. Of course, the father is happy, it’s his baby boy.
The older son was resentful. He stayed at home, worked hard, he followed all the rules and he wasn’t a problem to anyone. He was a good son but he never got a party for his friends. The father’s response was, while you were here with me, all that I had was yours. Your brother was lost but now he’s found. He was dead but now he’s alive.
Don’t be like the older brother. We can possess all the blessings of the Father and it’s freely given to each of us. Don’t get upset when he shares his grace, mercy, love and forgiveness with others. Pray for restoration and rejoice when others rejoice, cry when your brother cries.
