The Sin of the Elder Son

[Michael The Disciple]

One problem with this thread. Altho the elder brother had no compassion on his younger brother and stood in need of correction the Father declared that all he had belonged to HIM.

The Father rewarded the elder brothers faithfulness in giving him everything.

15:31 “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 15:32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’” Luke 15:31-32

Yes we can learn compassion for the lost from the parable but we can also learn the reward of faithfulness.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

One problem with this thread. Altho the elder brother had no compassion on his younger brother and stood in need of correction the Father declared that all he had belonged to HIM.

The Father rewarded the elder brothers faithfulness in giving him everything.

15:31 “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 15:32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’” Luke 15:31-32

Yes we can learn compassion for the lost from the parable but we can also learn the reward of faithfulness.

Yes but I think the POINT is that while I am sure he did not see himself that way, the older son was JUST AS undeserving as the younger.

Salvation is still a free gift, no matter how good or bad we have been.

[crakjak]

[QUOTE=Titus2woman;1120121]Yes but I think the POINT is that while I am sure he did not see himself that way, the older son was JUST AS undeserving as the younger.

Salvation is still a free gift, no matter how good or bad we have been.[/QUOTE]

So true, yet not believed by most religions today. Most belive we are saved because we earn that salvation by works, rather than because we are children of the creator, and He has paid for our salvation.

Our works should be a natural (rather a spiritual) outflowing of our salvation. Not the reverse.

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

One problem with this thread. Altho the elder brother had no compassion on his younger brother and stood in need of correction the Father declared that all he had belonged to HIM.

The Father rewarded the elder brothers faithfulness in giving him everything.

15:31 “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 15:32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’” Luke 15:31-32

Yes we can learn compassion for the lost from the parable but we can also learn the reward of faithfulness.

The parable has more to do with how lost the elder brother is rather than about compassion for the lost. This is where so many people miss the point of the parable. While Jesus is being criticized by the religious, the sinners are having a relationship with Him, and by implication, they are repenting of their sinful ways as a result. So while heaven is rejoicing, and Jesus is rejoicing, and the Prodigals are rejoicing over their restoration to God, the "older sons" are angry and criticizing Jesus for associating with these people.

Jesus is trying to manifest their lostness, but they aren't getting it. It has nothing to with "the reward of faithfulness". How do you explain the faithful Christian who suffers with a painful disease and dies? How do you explain the faithful Christian who is being imprisoned somewhere in the world, or worse, martyred for their faith? How do you explain the faithful Christian who lives in poverty? There are so many holes to the idea that "faithfulness = rewards". It's a pitfall that has caused many to stumble, question God, get bitter or live for Jesus void of joy, contentment and peace.

We are invited to believe in Jesus and serve Him cheerfully and gratefully, come what may.

The words of the father to the elder son represent the fact that the religious Jews had every advantage: the oracles of God, patriarchal heritage and the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. It isn't Christ's attempt to promote rewards-based thinking. In fact the whole parable is designed to point out that both sons are lost, alienated from the father and need to be restored in their own way.