I'm studying the parable of the lost son (Luke15) and it has been extremely eye opening. Most people read this parable and focus on the younger son. After doing some research and reading Timothy Keller's book "Prodigal God" I have come to the realization that Jesus is also focusing on the elder son as well.
The parable is a beautiful representation of God's unconditional love for us when looked at through the eyes of the younger son. He basically tells his Dad that he is dead to him. So he takes his life savings and runs away to party hard in Vegas. Then he hits rock bottom. After wasting all his money he starts drooling over what pigs get to eat. I bet the disillusion of the statement "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" really started to sink in at this point. I can't imagine how much he longed for what he gave up... the love of his Daddy. Thus begins the writing of his apology speech and his repayment plan so he can come home. You know how the story goes. The way the father responds to the younger brother really puts substance to 2 Peter 3:9. The God that so loved the world always patiently waits to embrace his lost son's and daughter's once again. God doesn't only celebrate the return of his children he longs for it with every ounce of himself.
Then we read that the elder son is jealous of the younger son. Some of you know exactly how it feels to be the elder brother. In our culture working really hard to earn what you receive is the norm. Nothing is free. At least that's what my parents told me. So it seems like he got screwed right? In this story the elder brother's character was meant to engage the Pharisees and Religious leaders that were listening to Jesus. They were probably upset that the elder brother was getting the shaft. In the eyes of the listeners the elder son should be rewarded for his loyalty and dedication to the father. He did what he was suppose to do.
What I learned is that both sons have something in common. They share the same experience of walking out on their father. Both of them alienate themselves from the father. Both's sons were concerned with their inheritance and the plans they had. But only one son understood his lostness and repented.
Why doesn't Jesus share the resolution for the elder son? I honestly don't know the answer to that question. Maybe Jesus left the story unfinished because he knew telling the proper ending through a teaching wouldn't be enough. Why? The story needs to become "flesh". Jesus knew that he needed to level the playing field for all the younger and elder brothers in this world. Maybe Jesus decided to show them instead of tell them. We can try as hard as we want but we can never be a true elder brother. Jesus is the only true elder brother. A true elder brother will give up anything to please the Father because he trusts in his love. As Jesus is hanging on the cross he utters his last words "It is finished".
Jesus made something very clear to me through this parable. God's grace has leveled the playing field. Everyone is invited to the party! "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus."
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