“You Are Always with Me”

The Prodigal Son’s Brother

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” (Luke 15:31-32)

When we are in seasons of rebellion and chaos, the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke 15, brings immense joy and comfort to us.

In Jesus’s parable, the Prodigal Son, who was the youngest of a man’s two sons, asked his father for his share of the inheritance. He left home and squandered all that had been given to him. Finding himself alone, destitute, and hopeless, he remembered the kindness and resources his father gave to his servants. The Prodigal Son returned home and begged to become a servant on his father’s estate. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ (vs. 21) However, the father placed a robe, ring, and sandals on the younger son, and called for a feast and a celebration.

Jesus told this parable to bring hope to the lost. God rejoices when those who were once ensnared by the ways of the world return to Him in repentance. Although there may be natural lingering consequences from their choices, the Father gladly welcomes the Prodigals back into His kingdom.

But what of the Prodigal Son’s older brother?

When the Prodigal Son returned to his father’s estate, we read, “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So, he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So, his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! 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. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’” (Luke 15:25-30)

Some Biblical scholars believe the older brother mentioned in this story represents the Pharisees. Jesus desired the Pharisees to have compassion; He wanted them to be joyful instead of resentful when a lost soul found their way back to the Father.

If you have ever been in a season like the Prodigal Son’s older brother, I am certain you can relate to how he feels in this story. You know and understand how incredibly difficult these emotions can be to navigate.

For it is often the individual in a family who makes wise choices, who is always available to help, who works diligently, who never asks for resources or support, who offers sound advice, and who is responsible and reliable who gets overlooked by the family. This exclusion often spills into school, work, and other areas of life, as well.

In Jesus’s parable, we do not learn if the older brother continued to sulk outside of the home, or if he went inside and celebrated his younger brother’s return. That is a choice every Prodigal Son’s older brother must make for themselves.

I would venture that what the Prodigal Son’s brother yearned for most was appreciation and recognition from his father.

Worldly recognition is vastly different than the rewards and recognition we receive from our Father in Heaven.

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” (Luke 15:31-32) The Prodigal Son’s brother was reminded that he always had his father’s blessings and possessions. He always had stability and constancy.

What do the Scriptures promise to those who are steadfast and faithful in all their ways?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21)

“Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” (Deuteronomy 5:33)

Those who are consistently righteous here on earth will often get overlooked by others, sometimes even by those closest to them, but they are not overlooked by the Lord. God sees their good works and deeds. He blesses them with riches that do not come in the form of worldly recognition and acknowledgement.

As Prodigal Son’s brothers, how do we not become bitter like the Pharisees? How can we rejoice when others – others who have made poor choices and squandered that which was given to them – receive honor and celebration?

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that ‘no root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12:15)

“Bear with one another, and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.” (Colossians 3:13)

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:12-15)

“And when (the shepherd) finds (the lost sheep), he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’” (Luke 15:5-6)

It is challenging for a Prodigal Son’s brother to set aside the flesh – the desire for recognition in this world – and rejoice when the lost repent.

But every Prodigal Son’s brother I know in this life enjoys God’s promises, which are found in His Word: a peaceful life, no lack of resources or earthly comforts, no quarrels among friendships or relationships, and respect and trust from their community and those around them.

I believe that momentary worldly celebrations pale in comparison to the blessings God has bestowed upon the righteous and faithful in this life.

May we pray to desire heavenly blessings above the recognition of others.

And may we pray to rejoice and be glad when the lost find their way home. “(Jesus said,) “In the same way, there will be a glorious celebration in heaven over the rescue of one lost sinner who repents, comes back home, and returns to the fold.” (Luke 15:7)