Luke 15v25-32,   The older brother in the parable of the prodigal son

Works, Blame and Contempt, v29-32

In v29-30 the son really gets it all off his chest. In an astonishing quadruple attack he stands proud over his own life as worthy of grace, he blames his father for not doing more for him and he spits out contempt towards his younger brother. He ends with pouring scorn on his father’s welcome of the younger son (Remember v2: it is the key to the chapter!).

Now this scorn is a bitter and vile slur on his father.

Perhaps, being generous, you could say that you might detect a cry to be saved in there.

But how does the father respond? It is the Father’s kindness that catches our breath, even more than the son’s malice.

He responds once more with the Gospel.

The Lord Jesus pictures himself for the third time as bringing the same Gospel to the older brothers of the world as to the rogues and the down-and-outs; the publicans & sinners.

V31 is difficult. But remember the context. The older son has blamed the father for not favouring him. The father shows him the real issue. Instead of the father not giving, it is that the son did not take. It was all his to take. It was all his to make use of.

Dear soul, have you long held this grudge with Jesus, that he has never yet chosen you, never yet favoured you?

Oh, friend, he says to you in his Gospel - it is here. Take of it. I have again and again intreated you. That was not the problem. Soul, realise what you have, that you have the Gospel. The whole of Christ’s redemption is offered to you every week. You stand at the threshold of untold wealth.

Thou art ever with me - you are always here. Always at the gate, always welcome to come in. If only the older brothers here would realise the wealth of their position.

Do you want to know tonight if you may come in? Christ says, you may.

In closing, in v32, the father puts him right back where he was. He captures once more the very scene that had so annoyed his older son. How will he react this time?

Yes, others, others who may have sinned less than you - right now they revel and rejoice in free, sovereign and amazing grace. How will you react?