August 31, 2008
The Self Righteous Brother
Lonnie Fritz
In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus also gives a lesson from the prodigal’s older brother. Remember that the prodigal had come home from rowdy living to ask the forgiveness of his father, asking only to be a servant. His father warmly welcomed him, as a son who was dead, but now was risen. When the father’s other son returned home to see the party that was thrown for his brother, he could not contain his anger. “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. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.” (Luke 15:29-30)
We may in fact wonder what is wrong with his attitude. Wouldn’t you feel the same way if you had a brother or sister who had lived like the world until they hit the bottom and then came crawling back? If we are honest, it is hard to imagine this brother “feeling” any different. What Jesus wants us to do is change how we think. In the previous two parables, the parable of the “Lost Sheep,” and the “Lost Coin,” Jesus concluded by saying: “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7 c.f. Lk.15:9) How much has God forgiven us? “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) More than we could ever pay. If God can forgive, can we?
It would seem that the greatest problem with the brother of the prodigal is his self-righteous attitude; “I never transgressed your commandment at any time!” How can you help someone who believes they are never wrong? On another occasion Jesus said: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Matt 9:12-13) This was a common concept that Jesus had to teach over and over again; all men need to repent. It does not matter if you have lived “pretty good” or “not too bad” or “really bad,” everyone gets to heaven the same way. Everyone must recognize his or her own need.
It is true that some have messed up their lives more than others. Some have lived as the “prodigal son” having brought shame and reproach on God and their family. Are there no more consequences for living your life like that, as opposed to one who tries to do what is right but slips and falls from time to time? In the parable, the father said to his older son: “Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.” (Luke 15:31) The prodigal on the other hand had wasted what was to befall him. Those consequences do not change. God may forgive a man who has gone into the world and become a drunkard and an adulterer, but that does not mean that there will not be continuing consequences for his previous actions. As a result he probably lost his family, his influence and his job. “If you put a nail in a board, you can pull the nail out, but there is still a hole in the board.”
Let us all strive to do our best in our service to God. If we do not, there may be a high price we will have to pay – even if we come to our senses before it is too late. Let’s realize that no matter how good we are, we are saved by God’s grace! Finally, let’s forgive those whom God has forgiven, and help them deal with the consequences of their previous sins.