Luke 15

---

Luke 15 Commentary

by Brad Boyles

What about the other son? What about the older “obedient” son?

“Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. [29] But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. [30] But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’

Luke 15:28-30 CSB

Symbolically, the prodigal represents sinners like prostitutes and tax-collectors while the older son represents the religious leaders. Jesus told many parables that contrasted the difference in attitude we find here with the younger and older son. These stories, (the two debtors, the laborers in the vineyard) consistently singled out the self-righteous, works-based attitude of those who thought they had followed the rules but became jealous when grace was extended to others who were, in their minds, “undeserving.”

It’s ironic that the older son immediately made it a comparison game when in all likelihood he had lived a better life overall. He had been there with his father for the duration of time that the younger son had suffered from his own choices. However, to the older son, it was not about how the father wanted to respond, but rather, what he felt the younger brother deserved.

It is also ironic that the older son was closer to the father physically, yet, more distant from his heart. I have often heard the analogy of a contract versus a covenant. A contract is simply a written agreement that says, “If you do this, I’ll do that.” It screams “works-based.” For people who view relationships as contractual, they have the right to terminate the agreement based on any number of ways they have felt mistreated. To the older son, he was entitled to better treatment by his father because he was “the good son.”

A covenant is far more because it is based on true unconditional love. A covenant says, “No matter what, we’re in this together.” The best example of how God designed a covenant relationship to work in is a marriage. People take vows at a wedding ceremony but I wonder how many people actually think about what they are saying to the other person. It’s a lifelong, unconditional commitment. A true understanding of a covenant relationship not only rejoices for one’s self but also rejoices when others receive what they didn’t deserve. A person who loves covenant loves grace.

I believe the prodigal son experienced what a covenant relationship feels like that moment when his father welcomed him back with open arms. At the same time, we see the older son exposed of his contractual attitude with his father. Those who are ingrained in a works-based relationship struggle with empathy. Often, when we lack the ability to give grace, it is because there is a deficit in how we have received grace. A judgmental attitude many times stems from personal insecurity which originates from not being able to measure up to the law. But, there is a better way.

I believe this is exactly the issue at hand with the older son. Look back at what the he says to his father. “Look, I have been slaving many years for you.” Slaving? Does that sound like the older son had experienced love and grace? What kind of relationship did he really have with his father? God is a loving Father who knows we can’t measure up. That’s why He sent Jesus. Once we realize how much we have been loved, we will celebrate when others don’t get what they deserve. Before we can give grace, we must first receive it.