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THE ELDER BROTHER OF THE PRODIGAL SON By Bob Myhan Many people fail to realize that the third parable of Jesus recorded in Luke chapter 15, is nowhere, in the inspired text, called “the Parable of the Prodigal Son.” In fact, the parable is given no name either by Jesus or by Luke. A more accurate designation would be “the Parable of the Two Sons,” since there are two sons in the parable. It is also important to notice the background for the parable. Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2) Jesus spoke the parable to illustrate difference in attitude between the sinners who had repented at His preaching and the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes who had refused to accept the sinners who had repented. The prodigal, or wasteful, son represents the sinners who were repenting at the preaching of Jesus, while his elder brother represents the Pharisees and scribes. The younger son, though he had left his home and had wasted his inheritance, had returned home with a humble and contrite heart. The father forgave him and treated him as though he had never left. Likewise, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). But the elder son was self-willed, in that he "would not go in" to celebrate his younger brother's return (v. 28). The Bible clearly condemns our being self-willed (2 Peter 2:10; Titus 1:7). He was also self-righteous, in that he claimed, "I never transgressed your commandment at any time" (v. 29). Such an attitude is the result of pride and arrogance, and is also condemned in the Bible (Luke 18:10-14; Rom. 10:1-3). He was self-centered; he complained, "....you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends" (v. 29-30). The Bible teaches that we should be centered on others, rather than on self (Phil. 2:1-4; Rom. 12:3). He was just plain selfish; he did not want to share his material possessions with his brother (v. 31). Those who are centered on others will share their possessions with them (Luke 3:11; Acts 2:44). In short, he had all the wrong attitudes toward self, which resulted in the wrong attitudes both toward his brother and toward his own material possessions. & EVERYBODY IS ANTI SOMETHING By Bob Myhan Often people are accused of being "too negative" in their teaching. It is said that "they never do anything but criticize others" or "they are 'anti' everything." Sometimes such criticism is valid and sometimes it is not. A basic principle to remember is that everyone who is for one thing must be against the opposite of that thing! The stronger we support a belief, the stronger we must stand against the opposite belief. For example: 1 Those who believe in God will stand against atheism. 2 Those who love the truth will oppose lying and error. 3 Those who respect the sanctity of human life will oppose murder. 4 Those who respect property rights will oppose stealing. 5 Those who teach fidelity in marriage will be "anti" fornication and adultery. As in the above examples, it is possible to state any and every position either positively or negatively. The only people who are "anti" nothing are people who stand for nothing! Sometimes people will overemphasize the things one is against, and deemphasize the things one is for. It is thought that one should not "come out" against anything but only be positive. But being “in favor of” certain things puts us squarely against other things. And we certainly have plenty of Bible examples of "coming out" against error by naming it and stating that it is error. & WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM LIFE? By Richard Copeland (1950-2005) SECURITY? Most everyone wants to be secure. But is one secure who has an abundance of material things laid up? "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Lk. 12:15). Real security comes from within; not without. God offers eternal security to those who lay up treasures in heaven (Mt. 6:19-21). CONTENTMENT? Volumes have been written ON how to be content. One volume has existed all alone which has the answers. "But godliness with contentment is great gain-and having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (I Tim. 6:6-8). HAPPINESS? Happiness is where you find it, and you can find it anywhere you can find God! "Happy is that people whose God is the Lord" (Psa. 144:15). "Rejoice in the lord alway; and again I say, rejoice"(Phil. 4:4). When the Ethiopian eunuch obeyed the Lord, he "went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:39). What do you want after life--Heaven? Then obey the gospel and serve God faithfully! (Rev. 2:10). & Words of Life/Volume 29, Number 1/January, 1991
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