The Older Son
When it comes to the story of the Prodigal Son, am I the only one who identifies more with the older brother than the prodigal? Sure, I’ve had seasons of doing my own thing and getting into trouble, but for the most part, my life has been about following the rules and doing what I’m told, much like the older brother in the parable.
I remember the first time I heard or read the story of the Prodigal Son; I immediately resonated with the older son—the one who stayed, the one who was faithful, the one who built his identity on doing the right thing. But as I recently revisited this passage, something new stood out to me: the older brother was never even invited to the party! What?! I would be furious. My FOMO would go into overdrive, not to mention the jealousy of seeing the celebration in the first place. So, what can we learn from the older son?
Luke 15:25-32 (NASB) says:
"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”
The older brother noticed what was happening. And what did he do? Exactly what I would’ve done. He stayed in the field, got the inside scoop from someone else, and refused to go to the party. But look at what the father did: “He came out and began pleading with him.” He met the older son where he was, just like he did with the younger son. The father sought him out, urging him to celebrate and be part of the restoration.
Here’s what stands out: the older brother didn’t just suppress his feelings or put on a fake smile. He was honest with his father. He spoke directly from his heart. If it were me, I probably would have either pretended everything was fine, only to vent about it later, or just stayed in the field indefinitely, refusing to join in. But the brother confessed, and the father’s response was beautiful. He reminded the son of his place in the family, his constant presence and inheritance, while also correcting his perspective.
How many of us are harboring anger, jealousy, or resentment toward others or even toward God? The truth is, God can handle our emotions. He can take our raw feelings, no matter how messy they are. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And yet, I find myself struggling to trust that promise. Too often, I think I need to fix myself before coming to God, rather than bringing Him my unfiltered thoughts and feelings.
The power of confession is often underestimated. It’s what saves us (Romans 10:9-10). It’s what heals us (James 5:16). And according to this parable, we find our identity on the other side of confession. It’s what draws us into a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with the Father. The older brother’s story reminds us that honesty with God isn’t just allowed—it’s necessary. And when we open up to Him, He meets us where we are, just like the father did, reminding us of His love, His presence, and His grace.
I remember the first time I heard or read the story of the Prodigal Son; I immediately resonated with the older son—the one who stayed, the one who was faithful, the one who built his identity on doing the right thing. But as I recently revisited this passage, something new stood out to me: the older brother was never even invited to the party! What?! I would be furious. My FOMO would go into overdrive, not to mention the jealousy of seeing the celebration in the first place. So, what can we learn from the older son?
Luke 15:25-32 (NASB) says:
"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”
The older brother noticed what was happening. And what did he do? Exactly what I would’ve done. He stayed in the field, got the inside scoop from someone else, and refused to go to the party. But look at what the father did: “He came out and began pleading with him.” He met the older son where he was, just like he did with the younger son. The father sought him out, urging him to celebrate and be part of the restoration.
Here’s what stands out: the older brother didn’t just suppress his feelings or put on a fake smile. He was honest with his father. He spoke directly from his heart. If it were me, I probably would have either pretended everything was fine, only to vent about it later, or just stayed in the field indefinitely, refusing to join in. But the brother confessed, and the father’s response was beautiful. He reminded the son of his place in the family, his constant presence and inheritance, while also correcting his perspective.
How many of us are harboring anger, jealousy, or resentment toward others or even toward God? The truth is, God can handle our emotions. He can take our raw feelings, no matter how messy they are. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And yet, I find myself struggling to trust that promise. Too often, I think I need to fix myself before coming to God, rather than bringing Him my unfiltered thoughts and feelings.
The power of confession is often underestimated. It’s what saves us (Romans 10:9-10). It’s what heals us (James 5:16). And according to this parable, we find our identity on the other side of confession. It’s what draws us into a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with the Father. The older brother’s story reminds us that honesty with God isn’t just allowed—it’s necessary. And when we open up to Him, He meets us where we are, just like the father did, reminding us of His love, His presence, and His grace.
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