The "elder brother" mentality

"What does it look like to live for 'the praise of his glory'?" I think one of the first things we need to address is, "Who are we living this life for?" When thinking of this I am reminded of the book The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller. In this book Keller discusses the Parable of the Prodigal Son from the book of Luke. Jesus tells his audience this parable about 2 brothers who in their own ways rebel against their father. For the sake of context, here is the whole parable starting in Luke 15:11:

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Many times people just end at verse 24 by expressing how God graciously forgives and loves us no matter how sinful and undeserving we are. But this parable is teaching that there are 2 kinds of rebellion against our Father so stopping at verse 24 is a disservice to the audience.  Jesus' original audience contained many Pharisees who were the religious gurus at the time of Jesus' life and also were opposed to Jesus' teachings. In taking a closer look at the final verses (25-32) we see that the Pharisees would not have been appeased by this parable.

The elder son knew there was a party going on and when discovering what and who the party was for we see his true feelings in verse 28, "But he was angry and refused to go in." But the father came out and pleaded with his son to be in celebration and join in his joy because of his brother's return. But the elder son refuses in verse 29, "Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends."

Here are a few points that Keller observes in The Prodigal God.  First of all the elder son shows disrespect to the father as he states "Look," without acknowledging him as father. Second we see his rebellion by stating "I have served you and I never disobeyed,"and is saying what have I gotten in return?  The father's response is, "All that is mine is yours."  The first son is after his father's things but just simply asks for them.  The elder son we see is after his father's things as well but is obedient in order to earn them.  Neither son truly loves the father just the stuff his father can give.  There is so much more this parable offers (so check out the book) but this was the point I wanted to address: What are you after?  God or God's things?

I have to ask myself that a lot.  I find myself pleading with God that I have repented, I remain faithful, I'm a pastor's wife, I sing in praise team and help with youth group so I've earned my spot and deserve the grace that God provides.  But with this mentality I'm striving to earn the stuff God gives verses straining to know and love God for being God.  We get God, that is enough. Nothing we receive from God is a result of our efforts to be obedient.  It is a result of God's own will.

In the parable of the prodigal son the father is loving and gracious towards both of his rebellious sons.  We see the younger son's response of celebration but the story ends before the elder son can respond to his father's love.  What is our response?

I give praise and thanksgiving for the Lord our God who sees my rebellious heart and yet sent his Son to die on the cross in order for my rebellion to be forgiven!