Luke 15:28-32

Much has been written about the prodigal son and the grace and forgiveness shown him by his father but very little about the reaction of the elder son. Sometimes it may seem that the perfectionist tendencies of the firstborn child are overlooked. We need to please! But if we look deeper into this parable pride is the very thing that stops us from maturing into a compassionate and forgiving adult. The father reminds his son that there is a reward for striving to do good but in the end it is much more important to show mercy to all those who come to their senses and return to the GOD of their youth. 

In Christ what was lost is found and what was dead and without hope has been given a new beginning and everlasting life with His Creator.

Instead of rejoicing that his lost brother was found, the older brother responds with resentment. This attitude reflects the scribes (teachers of the law) and Pharisees’ complaint about Jesus’ fellowship with sinners. Faithlife Bible.

The father responded to his disgruntled older son by explaining that just because someone receives a blessing, that does not mean there is no blessing for others. The father also implied that the older son always had the opportunity to celebrate with a fattened calf, since the animals were his. NKJ Bible.

Luke 15:28–32 (NKJV)

²⁸ “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. ³⁰ But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

³¹ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. ³² It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”