Perspectives on the Prodigal Son
Ever since I first became a Christian over 30 years ago, the story of the Prodigal Son has been familiar territory. I have re-enacted it, studied it, read it and preached on it. I have thought about it as the story of a lost son, a longing father and a disenfranchised brother. At one stage in my life I felt convicted to preach on the second half of the story wherever I went with a sermon entitled ‘The elder brother syndrome’. The sermon was a call on the church to open not only doors but hearts to those who have been lost and found. We must genuinely embrace them, rather than gritting our teeth and waiting for them to fall in line.
Last night I attended a small group in our church where the subject for discussion was this old familiar parable. Here’s the thing, though. With all the predictability of a big ship swinging inexorably in the tide, the conversation drifted towards the elder brother. Quickly leaving the familiar ground of the prodigal son himself behind, we came to the elder brother. We ended up discussing how he felt, why he behaved as he did, and what might have been going through his mind.
Why is it that we always end up discussing this character in the story? I have seen it happen in groups at home and abroad, with Christians of all ages. Is it because we resent his presence in the story, or because we catch sight of him in the mirror as we pass by, I wonder?
I would love to know if others have experienced the same thing…
