Monday, 26 October 2009
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The Older Son
Recently I wrote about how our Father is a prodigal Father...that is He gives lavishly and does not withhold any good thing from us. So much has been written about that particular family, that I almost hesitate to write more...almost. The younger son has been the target of many a sermon on repentance and on the Father's joy at the son's return. This time, I had a thought about the older son that I wanted to share.
The older son sounds to us like a sourpuss. We scarcely give him any notice. We watch him go off to himself while the festivities are going on, refusing to rejoice over his brother's return. He is still muttering to himself - maybe even throwing things around in his anger over the unfairness of it all. The father listens, sympathetic and caring. He reassures this angry young man that he loves him and hasn't forgotten his faithful service to the family. The father even reaffirms the older son's inheritance - (all that I have is yours).
The thought that I wanted to share in regard to this story is about joy. I don't mean just the joy he should have had because the father was SO overjoyed and shedding tears (maybe even dancing for joy). It is obvious from his remarks that SURELY isn't joyful that the younger brother is having gifts lavished on him. "Look how dirty he is. I wouldn't put a fine robe like that on a filthy beggar like him." (I'm reading his thoughts here) The joy I am thinking of is that joy he should have been having all of his life.
Even though we have probably not thought much about that older son except for what I have noted above, if we stop to think about it, this son had a pretty good life. It may not seem that way because he tries to make a case about how hard he had worked (and never got a party). The family seems to be well off. They have hired servants, and even they have a pretty good life. The father is a loving, caring father. All day every day this son worked for the family, building a rich inheritance for himself (sort of storing up treasures in heaven). He sat at the table with his dad and probably ate heartily - all he could hold. He had a nice bed to sleep in each night. And there probably were some parties and fun, I mean, really was it such a dull and lifeless existence? I doubt it.
Which brings me to my little point. I suggest that he probably forgot to be thankful...the family farm was coming to him without payment. How this applies to us, is pretty obvious. We may not live as luxurious a life as this son did, but we have a loving Father who freely gives us forgiveness for our indiscretions (sins, plainly). God also has promised us the richest inheritance - beyond our imagination. He is with us "whithersoever" we go. He protects us from our Enemy. He gives us strength as the day requires. And most of all He loves us with an unfathomable love always. Are we like the older brother? Do we take all these things for granted? When another brother or sister is blessed or given recognition or succeeds where we have failed, do we still rejoice with them. Do we breathe a prayer of thanks just because? Do we have that joy that a child of the Most High God, Sovereign King of all creation should have.... Even more, do we express our joy? If we were to get what we deserve....well, I'm sure we don't want that!
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Comments (8)
When another brother or sister is blessed or given recognition or succeeds where we have failed, do we still rejoice with them. Do we breathe a prayer of thanks just because? Do we have that joy that a child of the Most High God, Sovereign King of all creation should have.... Even more, do we express our joy?
Ouch! You know this is what God has continued to convict me about...Jealousy, envy, competition: they're nothing of the spirit of Christ, they're all joy-stealers...(The older son is a lot like Jonah, isn't he?)
@naphtali_deer@xanga - You know, I was concerned about that after I'd written it. I was flowing along as it came. I could point the other fingers at me. The truth is that we are to rejoice with our brethren and weep with them...it's all part of being family. Jonah was a loner. I think that was part of his problem...maybe it's common to prophets to be alone. There is no greater danger for a sheep than to wander away from the shepherd. God did send the fish to retrieve poor old Jonah though.
@quest4god - I've never seen you anything less than your rejoicing at others' success...and so supportive of my ministry.
I find your thoughts on the prophets interesting...I've been seeing more and more Jesus' wisdom in sending His disciples out two by two. I do tend to be a loner in many ways.
Re Jonah, look at chapter 4 after That's actually what I was thinking of. Is Jonah rejoicing at all the saved souls in Nineveh? No, he's not....But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. The Lord did send the gourd however...Isn't this attitude similar to what we find in the parable of the Good Samaritan (re: the Jews despising the Samaritans...). There's a lot to be thinking about here...
@naphtali_deer@xanga - Two by two....or many? We have accountability to God, but we also have each other here on this forum. I think of those we are praying for - especially some of the pastors. We are their co-laborers and encouragers as well.
I know what you mean, though, about being a loner. I would tend to be one more so if not for my enjoyment of discussion. Sometimes I find myself contributing little because I want to learn more. Even a loner wants some feedback to check their accuracy and effectiveness, right?
I'm not committing myself to conclusions about the man Jonah. I want to study him more. We tend to think of him as a negative example...I want the Lord to show me what I should learn from this Jonah guy.
Ha, i like it. More often than not, i seem to identify with the prodigal son more than the older son i'm afraid. I know how not fun it is to stray away from the only place of safety and peace in this world. Great thought, i've never thought about it like that...
@llamalima@xanga - Thanks for your comment. All of the characters in this story are very human. At one time or another we can identify with each one. The great lesson we learn from the prodigal son is that he finally did see himself as lost and wanted to return to his father. That was a hard thing for him to do just as it is hard for us to admit we are sinners in need of God's forgiveness and regeneration. The older son also had sin issues, but the story doesn't get to the point where he also repents of his sinful attitude.
@quest4god - I'll be interested in what you come up w/ about Jonah. All I can see is that God's hand was sovereign...from the call in Joppa to the conversions in Nineveh to the correction under the gourd (alliteration there -- sounds like a sermon, eh? LOL). The fact that Jonah was an unwilling messenger is so much evidence that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation...people get saved sometimes in spite of the messenger! (Comforting, isn't it?)
@llamalima@xanga - @quest4god - I'd recommend Henri Nouwen's "The Return of the Prodigal Son."
You should be able to find it at most libraries. (Norm, I think I've mentioned it to you before.) FYI: Nouwen was Catholic but he had lots of good thoughts on the parable.