Unveiling the Hidden Struggles of the Faithful Son in Luke 15– By John Owusu

In the very familiar Parable from Luke 15:11-32 – the Parable of the Prodigal Son- our focus is on the journey of the younger son, whose story of rebellion, repentance, and reconciliation vividly portrays God’s boundless grace. Yet, within this parable lies another, equally profound narrative – that of the elder son, a character who mirrors a different aspect of human nature and spiritual struggle. Let’s turn our attention to this often-overlooked figure and get a better insight into his struggles.

The elder son, steadfast and diligent, remains at home, toiling on his father’s land. His response to his brother’s return, however, unveils a struggle not with prodigality, but with resentment and entitlement. It’s a tale not just of a wayward brother, but of two sons, each lost in their own way, and a father whose love encompasses both. As we explore the elder son’s story, we are invited to reflect on our own spiritual journey. Through his eyes, we may uncover insights about grace, compassion, and the joy found in God’s unfailing presence. Let us open our hearts to these lessons, finding in them a deeper understanding of God’s love and our own path to spiritual growth.  Let’s delve right in.

I. The Elder Son’s Hidden Struggle  

In the shadow of the prodigal son’s dramatic story, the elder son’s internal conflict offers a different, yet equally important, spiritual lesson. Unlike his younger brother, the elder son is not guilty of wild living or squandering his inheritance. Instead, he remains at home, the picture of obedience and diligence. Yet, his reaction to his brother’s return reveals a heart troubled by deeper issues. 

Luke 15:28-30 captures the moment of his turmoil. When the younger son returns, the father throws a lavish celebration. The elder son, upon hearing this, becomes angry and refuses to join the feast. His words to his father are telling: “All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.” His sense of injustice is palpable. He feels overlooked, unappreciated, despite his faithful service. 

This is where the elder son’s true struggle lies – in his sense of entitlement and lack of compassion. He cannot fathom why his father would extend such grace to a brother who seemed to have forsaken everything their family stood for. His dedication to duty has blinded him to the essence of his father’s love. In his mind, love and reward are earned, not freely given. 

The elder son’s problem is one many of us can relate to. It’s easy to fall into the trap of equating our worth or spiritual standing with our deeds. We, like the elder son, might struggle to accept that God’s love is not a reward for good behavior, but a gift freely given. His story is a cautionary tale, reminding us that even the most dutiful can miss the heart of God’s grace. 

In our spiritual walk, it’s crucial to recognize this pitfall. The elder son’s attitude reflects a misunderstanding of grace – a fundamental aspect of Christian faith. It shows us that even in our faithfulness, there’s a danger of developing a spirit of entitlement, overshadowing the true nature of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. 

II. Spiritual Lessons from the Elder Son 

The elder son in the parable teaches us crucial spiritual lessons about entitlement, joy, gratitude, and the nature of God’s inclusive love. 

Entitlement vs. Grace: The elder son’s sense of entitlement is a stark contrast to the father’s grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Unlike earthly rewards that are earned, grace is a divine gift, unmerited and freely given. The elder son’s struggle to understand this mirrors our own challenges in comprehending the breadth of God’s grace, which extends beyond human notions of fairness and merit. 

Joy and Gratitude: In focusing on his sense of injustice, the elder son fails to appreciate the blessings around him. James 1:17 tells us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” His inability to find joy in his continuous access to his father’s wealth and presence is a reminder for us to recognize and cherish the blessings we receive daily. Psalm 16:11 declares, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.” The elder son’s lack of joy reflects a heart disconnected from the true source of fulfillment – the father’s love. 

Inclusiveness and Forgiveness: The father’s inclusive love is a model for Christian living. Galatians 3:28 proclaims, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This inclusiveness extends to the elder son, despite his resentment. Similarly, the importance of forgiveness is underscored in Matthew 6:14-15, where Jesus teaches, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” The elder son’s struggle to forgive mirrors our own challenges in extending grace to others, a crucial aspect of Christian discipleship. 

III. The Father’s Unconditional Love and Grace 

The father in the parable epitomizes God’s unconditional love and grace. His reaction to each son’s actions reveals profound spiritual truths about God’s nature. 

Unconditional Love: The father’s love for both sons is unwavering and not based on their deeds. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us.” The father’s love, much like God’s, is proactive, reaching out to both the repentant and the resentful son. 

Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The father’s eagerness to forgive the younger son, symbolized by his running to meet him and the celebration that follows, highlights God’s joy in our repentance. Luke 15:22-24 illustrates this beautifully, as the father restores the younger son without hesitation. This unconditional acceptance is a powerful portrayal of divine forgiveness, which is not earned but graciously given. 

Generosity and Celebration: The father’s response – throwing a lavish party for the younger son – is a testament to the joy and generosity inherent in God’s grace. It’s a celebration of reconciliation, not past actions, mirroring the heavenly joy over one sinner who repents. 

Inclusiveness: The father’s grace is inclusive. He goes out to invite the elder son to the feast, demonstrating that his love and grace extend to both sons, regardless of their attitudes or behaviors. This reflects 2 Peter 3:9, where it’s stated, “The Lord is…patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 

IV. Steps Towards True Repentance for the Elder Son 

For the elder son to embrace true repentance, he had to undergo a transformation of his heart and mind in seven key areas and his journey is as relevant for us today as it was for him.

Recognize His Own Faults: The first step was acknowledging his bitterness and self-righteousness, i. e. understanding these feelings as barriers to a relationship with his father and brother. 

Empathize with His Brother: Developing empathy for his brother’s experiences helped him overcome resentment, which allowed him to see value in forgiveness and reconciliation. 

Accept His Father’s Love and Grace: Realizing that his father’s love was unconditional and not based on merit was crucial for his transformation. 

Celebrate His Brother’s Return: Joining in the celebration symbolized his acceptance and joy in his brother’s restoration to the family. 

Rebuild Relationships: Strengthening his relationships with his father and brother emphasized the value of family and connection over duty. 

Express Feelings to His Father: Honest communication about his feelings of being overlooked helped to clear misunderstandings. 

Reflect on His Blessings: Appreciating the constant presence of his father and the blessings he already had was key to his spiritual growth. 

Grasping the depth of our Father’s love for us is essential. At the heart of God’s intentions is the hope for everyone’s salvation and for all to gain an understanding of His Son, His precious gift to humanity, intended to draw all people to Him. Luke 15:11 tells of a father and his two sons. Each son’s choices significantly influenced their relationship with their father, yet the father’s love remained constant and unwavering in the face of their actions. While the missteps of the prodigal son are apparent, it’s just as crucial to consider how easily we might overlook our Father’s grace, mercy, and love. This is especially true when, like the elder son, we mistakenly believe our rewards are earned by merit, not granted through His grace. My prayer is that you will reflect on this and let God speak to your heart. 

Yours Truly

P.S. Thank you John Owusu for this very insightful post. John has been a long time reader of this blog and the owner of Revo Driving School in Alexandria, VA. He loves music and is part of the worship team at Word Performance Church.