The "Unprodigal" Son

Most people are familiar with the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. But I want to give focus to the other son, or what I call the “unprodigal son”.

Luke 15:25-32 (ESV)

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.’”

If I were to describe this son, he was self-righteous, selfish, ungrateful and yet have an obedient and a servant heart. He was bitter at the happiness not just of his brother but also of his father. He had all the reason to rejoice, yet what he sees are things he did not receive.

He could have asked. But his younger brother did not even ask yet things were given to him. It’s not about the fattened calf or the ring or the other things that the “prodigal” son received, it’s actually the attention of the father. Or it might have been the things. A bitter heart causes us to disregard even the things that we already have. Jealousy will creep in like a dangerous disease.

The father was so generous to get out of his way to go out to his eldest son, the son who had been physically been with him all this time. The eldest son was there but his heart was not. 

How many times have we served in church or do ministry but our heart is not there?

This message is primarily for those who are Christians and have forgotten the joy of just being there in the presence of God and His people. If you are in that season of giving up, being bitter or plainly unjoyful, then it’s time to check our hearts and see where it is.

I don’t know what happened to that elder brother, but if I were him, I would have been reminded about my identity that I am a son and not a servant. My father’s favour does not lie on the sacrifices I make, but in the identity that he had already given me. I would not be bitter towards him nor towards the people he values. As I learn to love the person who taught me how to love, I would eventually see others the way he sees them and love them as well.