Tim Keller’s excellent The Prodigal God not only potently draws our attention to the oft-missed second half, the story of the elder brother, but it potently answers a question I have long struggled with. What are the implications of the return of the prodigal son? We know he is welcomed, loved, embraced, celebrated. We know he will not be hired on as a servant. But, what? How “in” is he?
Keller points out that some, typically liberal scholars, have actually argued against an atonement on the basis of this parable. No substitute was put in the prodigal’s place. No ransom was paid. I’ve often said that to understand any text we need to look for the sinner in the story, and for Jesus. Keller is quite right that there are two sinners in this story, both of the sons. The Father, as well, is an outstanding picture of the Father. Where though is Jesus?
Jesus is the Elder Brother. No, He’s not the elder brother in the story. He’s the elder brother in reality. Jesus, in telling the parable is not only rebuking the Pharisees for being like the older brother, He is rebuking all of us for being like the older brother. We, at least until our own sins are exposed, proving we are also the younger brother, look down our noses at those less righteous than we are. Wisdom dictates instead that we acknowledge our own sins. Courage, on the other hand, calls for rescuing the younger brother. The Father waited for him. Why did the older brother not go looking for him?
He did. The true older brother did. And He not only found us, but paid the debt we could not pay. There is a reason beyond mere moral indignation that the older brother was bitter. This return could cost him. When the younger brother asked for his inheritance, the father divided his wealth in thirds. One third went to the younger brother. The other two thirds went to the older brother. Whether he already had control of it, or had to wait for his father’s passing is beside the point. For the younger son to be brought back into the family, the remaining two thirds of the father’s wealth would have to be divided again, one third for the younger brother, two thirds for the older.
Had the elder brother in the story had the heart and mind of the true elder brother, he would have rejoiced over the return of his brother. He would have gladly sacrificed his own inheritance, because he would have known he hadn’t earned it in the first place. It had been a gift given to him.
The reason there was a feast for the younger brother and not the older is that the younger brother came to understand the grace of his father. The older brother believed he and his younger brother should have to earn his favor, and, with one more step deep into folly, thought that he had. The church is indeed full of two kinds of people. It is not, however, sinners like the prodigal son and righteous like the elder son. No, the two kinds are these- those who know they are sinners and those who want to earn their way into the kingdom. By all means let those whose sins remain obscure, hidden, be on guard against looking at the scandalous sinners with contempt. Rather let them have the pity and compassion of Christ. But, friends, let those whose sins are out in the open for the world to see, who pride themselves on not being like the Pharisees be on guard against their own pride. Let them not beat their breast like the sinner, while confessing like the Publican, “I thank you Lord that I am not like this Pharisee here. I bewail my sin three times a weak and dress in sackcloth.” Rather let them have the pity and compassion of Christ. The prideful and the pridefully humble, we all depend on His grace.