The Bible is an unlimited source of material. Even if it's a story you've read many times before, there is still a refreshing appreciation for truth when you study it again. The Parable of the Prodigal in Luke 15 is no exception.
"So He told them this parable..." (15:3). The part of the verse that recently knocked me over is the word "them." Why would Jesus spend so much time condemning the attitude and hypocrisy of the religious elite if there was no value or learning that we could glean from it? We can become "them." In other words, we can become more like the older brother than the prodigal son...
When we grumble while God rejoices. When the younger son returned home and his father celebrated, the older brother became "angry" (15:28). While the Pharisees and scribes were complaining about sinners being forgiven, the angels were rejoicing in the presence of God.
Do you want God's justice or mercy on others? We must start viewing the lost the way God sees them. He sees a lost sheep who needs a shepherd. He sees a lost coin that still has value and usefulness in His service. He sees a lost son whom He desperately wants back in the safety of His house. Inasmuch as we want God to receive (forgive) us when we have sinned, so let us receive (forgive) one another.
When we compare ourselves with the wrong standard. The older son looked pretty good next to his brother. "For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours....but when this son of yours..." (15:29-30). The problem is that God has never said He would compare one son to another. He uses a different standard.
What if we measured ourselves next to Jesus, the Son of God? Instead of looking around us and deciding that our spiritual condition is superior to others, we ought to stand next to Jesus and see how far we fall short. "All have sinned" (Rom. 3:23) and are in need of God's grace. Through Him, we can be made into the image of His Son. When we lose sight of what we are without Him, we become like one of "them."
When we expect to be rewarded for our righteousness. The older son felt that if the rankest sinner got the fattened calf, reserved for a special occasion, where is the reward for the one who has been working at home the whole time? He was entitled to that; he deserved it, so he thought.
Do you really want God to deal with you based on what you deserve? "Son...all that is mine is yours" (15:31). Shouldn't that be enough? He made you in His image. He crowned you with glory and honor. He provided for your salvation. He blessed you with more than you will ever need.
What should be our attitude in return? "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done"" (LK 17:10). Otherwise, we are like "them."
God is calling all of His children to come home. Those who have wandered away, He is ready to receive back safe and sound. Those who have been selfish, hypocritical, and unforgiving, He waits with open arms. "See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God" (1 JN :3:1). I want to be one of them.
--Bubba Garner