Yesterday, we looked at the younger prodigal son; today we will look at the older son who remained at home.
The Pharisaical Attitude
He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:9-11
The younger son left home out of rebellion but the older one worked hard, carried out his duties and lived, what appeared to be, a blameless life. However, inwardly he was selfish and unforgiving in nature. When his prodigal brother returned home, he did not rejoice. This was because of the bitterness that had built up in his heart, resenting his brother for squandering away their father’s wealth. He saw his brother as one who had cheated his father so he refused to come into the house when his brother returned.
The father, however, was very patient with the older son. His heart of unconditional love that caused him to run out of the home to bring the younger son back, now makes him go to plead with the elder son for reconciliation.
The Pharisaical mentality is duty bound and full of self-righteousness. There was no room for love in the heart of the older son and he did not want to reconcile with the father or the brother.
In today’s context, there are many of us who could be like the older brother. Are we merely duty bound when it comes to serving the Lord? May the love of Christ pour into our hearts so that we serve Him in love and thereby love our fellow brothers and our heavenly Father.
Dear Lord,
I thank You that You first loved me. You have picked me up from the miry clay and set my foot upon a rock. Help me to reciprocate the same love that You have given me to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.