No 1

(The Prodigal Son)

This is the first of many studies that we will be doing on the parables and teachings of Christ. The first one that we shall talk about is in a very familiar passage in Luke 15 about a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son. Jesus was speaking to a group of people consisting of publicans, sinners, Pharisees and scribes (v. 1, 2). Although the main theme of this parable is the joy that is experienced when something is found that was lost, I believe that there is another lesson for us in this parable. In verse 28, we read about the reaction of the elder brother : “And he was angry and would not go in: and therefore came his father out and entreated him”. He was suffering from what I call “Elder Brother’ s Disease” and the symptoms are deadly. These symptoms are a joyless heart, a narrow perspective and a self-righteous attitude. The younger brother’s sins were obvious and he was able to admit to them and repent but the elder brother’s sins were sins of the heart. Jesus was speaking to a crowd whose condition was very similar to these two brothers. A contrast can be made of the younger brother to the sinners and publicans and of the elder brother to the scribes and Pharisees. The younger brother’s sins were exterior but the elder brother’s sins were interior and far more difficult to admit and confess to. Which is why I feel that Jesus wanted to show this crowd the same comparison – the interior and exterior sins that they committed. The former is often more difficult to see than the latter. May we be alert and listen to the Holy Spirit to avoid having Elder Brother’s Disease.