Luke 15 has been on my mind because as we read it often we get lost in the (manmade) divisions. I say “we” because I have done the same in my study and my preaching.
“Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”” (Luke 15:1–2, LSB)
Jesus answers, not with three parables, but with one continuous parable. Sadly, if we divide it up we often forget the point (and context) of the passage especially as we get to the final part of the chapter.
Much could be said but we often focus our attention in that final section on the prodigal who comes home, but maybe we should consider that elder brother.
Luke 15:25–32 (LSB)
25“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26“And summoning one of the servants, he began inquiring what these things could be.
27“And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’
28“But he became angry and was not wanting to go in, and his father came out and began pleading with him.
29“But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and never have I neglected a command of yours. And yet never have you given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends.
30‘But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
31“And he said to him, ‘Child, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive, and was lost and has been found.’”
The Pharisees and scribes in the beginning of the chapter were grumbling about the tax collectors and sinners and yet were as lost as they were, so it was with this older brother when it came to his younger brother. In his heart, the older brother was as lost as his younger brother when he was with the pigs , but the problem is the older brother never repented. The Pharisees, the scribes, the older brother may have been the ones many looked up to, but it is possible to always be around the Father’s house and never leave and yet have no real relationship with Him at all!
We spend our time praying that our children and those we disciple are never like the prodigal son who runs away, but let us also pray and pray more fervently that they don’t grow up like the older son. He was a self-righteous hypocrite with no relationship with the Father and no rejoicing when his brother returned.
Let us also examine our own hearts too on these things. If we have fallen, are we ready to come back to our Father? Do we rejoice to see others return? Or are we more like the older son?