Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.26And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.27And 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.'28But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.
Most people stop the story of the prodigal son with the party his father throws him. But there is another character...the older son. He was what most people would consider as the good son. HE stayed and work hard everyday for his father. He did the right thing unlike his brother. There are those of us who identify with this brother. We completely understand where he was coming from. I mean, honestly, he absolutely justified to be angry with his father about giving that little brat a party. Really, who did he think he was demanding money, spending it all, and then coming back wanting more. HE deserved to work for his due not get a party. I am right, right?
As Cities Burns agrees with me in their song Empire:
I was more deserving of my parents love.
I had an angels smile,
hiding a vultures bite.
I had no use for your redeeming blood.
Aren't I glory, glorious?
I had an angels smile,
hiding a vultures bite.
I had no use for your redeeming blood.
Aren't I glory, glorious?
You see, much like us, the older thought he was right because of what he had done. But he was mistaken. He was not righteous because there was pride in his heart.
Luke 15:29-32
29But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;30but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.'31And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'"
I am much more like the older brother than the younger. I see people who have committed "great sin" being celebrated because they received grace. The whole time I'm screaming" But I've been here the whole time being obedient and serving, so why do they get the party?' And like the older brother, I have a greater sin-the sin of pride.
How often we forget that we are in need of grace and forgiveness just like the prodigal son. We must humble ourselves and realize that must indeed rejoice with those who were dead and now are brought back to life for they indeed are our brothers and sisters.
As Cities Burn continues the song with the same thought
Cause I was a pharisee,
I never saw my need for grace;
Then your love came to me
stood next to mine, and I saw that I was poor.
Show me I was poor.
Show us we are,
show us we are.
Glory, glorious.
We are glory, glorious.
Not from what good we have done
but from being the least. [x2]
I never saw my need for grace;
Then your love came to me
stood next to mine, and I saw that I was poor.
Show me I was poor.
Show us we are,
show us we are.
Glory, glorious.
We are glory, glorious.
Not from what good we have done
but from being the least. [x2]
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