The prodigal son's brother
Everyone knows the story of the prodigal son. It's one of the best and oft-quoted passages from the Bible (Luke 15). I know. I get it. I am the prodigal son. I left God and returned to His loving arms. But, what I want to talk about is the prodigal son's brother. You see, I am him too. What theologians will tell you is the two sons are indicative of the Gentiles (the prodigal son) and the Jews (the eldest son). The prodigal son screwed up, repented, and came home to his father (Heavenly Father). The eldest son did what he was told but was full of sin on the inside. He was obedient on the outside, but his heart never changed. He has a legalistic and petty response to seeing his father embrace his repentant brother. The picture of the eldest son tells me something about myself. At certain points in my life I did everything I was told to do and lived an upright life. But, I was secretly sinful because my heart was hard. I wondered why others got to do things I couldn't and I...