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Christ’s Object Lessons
Thus far in the Saviour’s parable there is no discordant note to jar
the harmony of the scene of joy; but now Christ introduces another
element. When the prodigal came home, the elder son “was in the
field; and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music
and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these
things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy
father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and
sound. And he was angry, and would not go in.” This elder brother has
not been sharing in his father’s anxiety and watching for the one that
was lost. He shares not, therefore, in the father’s joy at the wanderer’s
return. The sounds of rejoicing kindle no gladness in his heart. He
inquires of a servant the reason of the festivity, and the answer excites
his jealousy. He will not go in to welcome his lost brother. The favor
shown the prodigal he regards as an insult to himself.
When the father comes out to remonstrate with him, the pride and
malignity of his nature are revealed. He dwells upon his own life in
his father’s house as a round of unrequited service, and then places in
mean contrast the favor shown to the son just returned. He makes it
plain that his own service has been that of a servant rather than a son.
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When he should have found an abiding joy in his father’s presence,
his mind has rested upon the profit to accrue from his circumspect life.
His words show that it is for this he has foregone the pleasures of sin.
Now if this brother is to share in the father’s gifts, the elder son counts
that he himself has been wronged. He grudges his brother the favor
shown him. He plainly shows that had he been in the father’s place, he
would not have received the prodigal. He does not even acknowledge
him as a brother, but coldly speaks of him as “thy son.”
Yet the father deals tenderly with him. “Son,” he says, “thou art
ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” Through all these years of
your brother’s outcast life, have you not had the privilege of compan-
ionship with me?
Everything that could minister to the happiness of his children was
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freely theirs. The son need have no question of gift or reward. “All
that I have is thine.” You have only to believe my love, and take the
gift that is freely bestowed.
One son had for a time cut himself off from the household, not
discerning the father’s love. But now he has returned, and the tide