The Ballad of the Older Brother

Brothers and Sisters, when we hear the parables we are sympathetic to who we assume is the main characters who lost something or is the son who was lost. This is normal but today I want to look at another character, the lost son’s brother. He never left his father’s side but he was lost in the heart.

"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" Luke 15:25-32

Faithful But The Heart is Weak in Spirit 


The brother seems a bit jealous don’t you think? There are Christians out there who see others get blessings that they think are not deserving of them. These are the ones who do not rejoice over someone else’s positive spiritual experience because they were there and did not receive the same. They cannot rejoice when sinners are saved, because they feel threatened. The Weak Spiritual Heart folks know God and are saved but are jealous of others whose blessings they believe should be their own.
  
Another type is the religious one who has never truly been saved. There is a difference between being religious and being a Christian. You could be a good, moral person, even attend services regularly and faithfully but never have really put your whole faith in Jesus.
When we first learn of the brother he was working in the field doing what his father told him to do. Being the older brother, he holds the position of first born which means when the father dies he receives two-thirds of his father’s possessions. Since the younger son already received his part, everything belongs to the older son. This means he will also be the head of house, he is blessed. Somehow though it does not seem like enough.

An Example For the Pharisees  

When Jesus was telling this parable he directed a lot to how the Pharisees view themselves and how God sees them. The character who best describes the Pharisees in the case is the son in question. They are the privileged and faithful servants of God. The problem was this: they were lost and undone in sin and the Lord knew it! They kept the letter of the Law outwardly, but in their hearts, they longed for sin!

The Pharisees were very religious and knew of the Messiah’s coming but they could not recognize that Jesus was who they were waiting for. Their hearts were hardened so that the plan for salvation could be accomplished. Some did see the light such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, but the rest were still blind. Doing so they accomplished what was written in Isiah 53:3:  He was despised and rejected[ by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  

Are You The Older Brother?

Just as Jesus could look into the heart of the Pharisee and see his lost condition, He can look within your heart and see that you are lost too. All the older brother wanted to do is live it up like the other boy did! But, He can’t, so he gets mad that one who did the very things he wants to do in his heart has been received by the father. You see, you can fool all of us, but you cannot fool Him. You might be good, moral and active in your church and still be lost. Your outward attitudes and actions are a mirror into your heart. What does your heart say about you? You watch people who can only attack others, criticize them and place blame on everyone but themselves. That kind of person has real spiritual issues!

In truth, religion does not equal salvation. Being close to the things of God does not equal being saved by the grace of God. The father praised the elder son for his efforts, and reminded him that everything was already his! In effect, this father was saying, “I value you and our relationship together more than I value your works.” This boy could have enjoyed fellowship with the father anytime he wanted, but he was too wrapped up within his own legalism and narrow-mindedness to realize it. This boy wanted what the father had, but he did not want the father, and he did not want anyone else to have the father either. Religion can make a person just desire works. A personal, trusting relationship with God has more value than any religious deed.

Attending a church does not make you a Christian any more than climbing a tree make you a squirrel, nor does sleeping in a garage makes you a car. You must not depend on who you are or what you have done for your salvation. Works do not save you, salvation comes from the free gift of Grace and full faith in Jesus Christ does.

Brothers and Sisters, examine yourself spiritually. If you find your heart is like the older brother, ask God for forgiveness and repent today. Come home and the Father will embrace you. Seek the relationship the Holy Spirit calls you to.

In God’s Mercy and Grace,

Rob, Servant of God