The Older Son
Story Story…Story! Once upon a time…time time! (Nostalgia)
This is a story about the relationship dynamic between two brothers and their father. A very wealthy father, I must say.
In this story, the younger son walks up to his father and demands that he divides the family estate so he could have his share and leave. This made no sense to the father and hurt him deeply, but he had no choice but to oblige his son who was bent on leaving. The older son was pissed because of the typical nature of this crazy brother – but maybe it was time for them to get rid of the black sheep after all.
This younger son charters a yacht and goes on a cruise with his friends from city to city, sleeping in the finest hotels around the world and literally blowing his cash. Some of these trust fund babies can’t be trusted (pun intended). Eventually, he runs out of cash and his friends run out of love, so they leave and he’s all alone. Devastating, right?
He tries to get a job, but the streets are tough for a man with zero professional skills. Winter comes and the nights are cold. Our boy eventually gets a job feeding pigs in exchange for a barn floor as a bed. He takes the offer but still can’t find a solution for his hunger, so he starts sneaking some pig food into his mouth at night.
Some of these trust fund babies can’t be trusted (pun intended)
One day he comes to his senses, regrets his action and is remorseful for leaving home in the manner he did. He wants his father’s forgiveness, so he decides to go back home. As he approaches, his father who is standing on the front porch darts towards him full of joy. This son is super apologetic and tells his father that he’d like a role as a servant as he’s not worthy to be called a son, but his father says no – a son is a son.
This father rallies the servants around and asks for the preparation of a big feast – music, dancing, the whole nine yard! His lost son is back home.
Meanwhile the older son, who was out working in the fields, returns home to grab a quick lunch when he hears the sound of music from the house. He’s quite confused and calls a servant for clarity. He learns that the ‘black sheep’ is back, and daddy has thrown a feast, so he throws a fit.
The father hurries out to calm his son and invite him inside, but the older son is not having it. He’s livid at his father for celebrating the return of his brother after all he’s put them through. He’s also angry at his father for never rewarding him for being the perfect son.
In his words: ‘I’ve been slaving for you, and you’ve never given me a small goat to throw a party with my friends but when this son of yours who squandered your money returns, you shut down the street for him?! Why do you want me to come inside and join you?’
His father looks at him and says: “All I have is yours. We’re only just grateful that your brother who was lost is now found.”
End of story.
I stop to think about this parable Jesus told in Luke 15:11-31 a lot and each time I find myself asking one question…did the older son not know he was a son? On his way from the farm, he stopped a servant to ask him what was going on in the house. It’s his house, he could have walked in. And when he spoke with his father, he accused him of not giving him a goat to celebrate with his friends after all his ‘slaving’.
…did the older son not know he was a son?
There are two things to pick out here. One, he could have asked his father for a goat or anything if he wanted it. And two, ‘slaving’ sounds like he was working for his father towards a reward. Sons don’t work toward rewards from their parents; they do this because it’s their responsibility. The older son sounded more like a paid staff than a son. And sometimes, that’s us when we try to earn God’s salvation through our works. But it shouldn’t be the case because it was freely given. You’re not in God’s “good book” because you of your deeds, it’s because Jesus died for you.
When your identity is safe and steeped in the knowledge of God as your father, you live life from a place of rest. It doesn’t mean you’d cruise around situations without hassles, but you’re assured that you can always come back to a solid foundation. I think the older son, even though he lived with his father, didn’t know his father’s love was solid and he could rest in it. On the other hand, the younger son was not ashamed to find his way back home because he knew there was forgiveness and rest there. I bet if the older son had spent more time knowing his father’s character, he’d have been assured of his father’s love for him.
The Father’s love is freely given, and this is sometimes incomprehensible when the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice is considered which is why we spend time trying to make up for it by works. But all the father ever wants from us is our heart, our heart compels us to work in a way that pleases the father – out of love.