The Parable of the Prodigal Son: Part 2 (The Older Son)
This week we’re uncovering part 2 of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, focused on the story of the OLDER SON found in Luke 15:25-32. Check out this video as we learn about this week’s Bible study (also available as a podcast!).
Last week in our time together we saw a beautiful illustration of God’s heart for the lost through the story of the younger son in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Now in part two of our study, you’ll be introduced to the only person in all three parables in Luke chapter 15 that is not a part of the celebration when what was lost is found - the older son.
Most of us can relate to one of the father’s two sons in this parable. Perhaps, like the younger son, you’ve pursued happiness through self-discovery and the “fleeting pleasure of sin” (Hebrews 11:25, CSB), only to find running from God left you empty, broken, and depressed. Or perhaps, like the older son, all your life you’ve tried to be good and to obey. Sure, you’ve messed up, but generally, you do the right thing. Fellow rule followers, you won’t want to miss this week! You’ll discover how, without even realizing it, all your goodness can blind you from your need to repent and distance you from an intimate relationship with God, just like it did for the older son.
DAY 1 - READ AND REFLECT
This week we’ll focus on the story of the older son in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:25-32), but let's start by reading the full parable in, Luke 15:11-32. Re-read the passage, preferably in a different translation to get a clearer perspective on what the passage is communicating.
Keep in mind a parable is a story that parallels a message Jesus was trying to communicate, which would've been more easily understood by the original audience. Without a deep connection to Jewish culture, Jesus’ point is often lost on us. To understand the heart of Jesus’ parables, ask the following questions, and watch as the parables of Jesus come to life!
Who is the audience and how would the original hearer have heard this?
What cultural reference points would the original hearer have known that I miss?
Does the parable have characters and how are they described?
Does the parable have an unexpected ending that highlights the point Jesus was trying to make?
If Jesus were to make this point today, what parable might He tell?
Last week we saw that the sinners and tax collectors would’ve related to the story of the younger son, but what about the older son? Jesus wanted the Pharisees to see themselves in the older son and repent of their lack of compassion for the lost.
Even though the Pharisees had access to scripture and the ability to understand it, there was something they lacked. Jesus told them as much in Matthew 9:13 when He quoted Hosea 6:6, scripture the Pharisees would’ve been familiar with. For additional CONTEXT as we start our study this week, read these passages in a few translations. What does God care about most?
DAY 2 - THE PHARISEES (Luke 15:1-3)
After hearing Jesus tell the story of the younger son, His listeners may have assumed the parable was over. After all, what was lost was now found and it ended in a joyous celebration, just as the two parables Jesus told right before this. But the parable doesn’t end there and for good reason. Remember, Jesus told a story of a man with two sons (Luke 15:11). Much attention is placed on the son after whom this parable was named, the prodigal. However, many scholars contend the climax of the story and the main focus of this parable all leads to the older son. Let’s find out why. Read Luke 15:1-2. List all who are mentioned listening to Jesus.
When you READ the Bible, look for transition words that can help reveal WHY the author is saying something. Read Luke 15:3 in the CSB, ESV, or NKJV. What transition word is at the beginning of this sentence?
Study Tip: Other transition words or phrases to watch for include: therefore, again, however, and because of this.
Now go back and read the first two verses once more. What was happening that caused Jesus to tell this parable?
At that time in HISTORY, the Pharisees and scribes were religious leaders who devoted their lives to studying and obeying scripture. Considered exemplary models of Jewish religion, worship, and prayer, the Pharisees were rule-followers who were so good at their job they added extra rules just to be safe. But, in all their perceived righteousness they most certainly did not hang out with unclean sinners and despised tax collectors! In that culture, table fellowship meant acceptance and friendship. Was Jesus endorsing sinners by eating with them? Read Luke 5:27-30. Why do you suppose the Pharisees “complained bitterly” (vs. 30, NLT) that Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners?
How might you feel if you walked into a restaurant and found your spiritual mentor or leader eating with someone of doubtful reputation or that you despised and avoided?
Are you quick to judge the motives of others who minister to the lost?
Surely the Pharisees felt Jesus should be spending time with the godly, not the ungodly. But Jesus had a habit of going where the lost were, regardless of the cost to His own reputation. Are you willing to be criticized for sharing the good news of Jesus with others?
DAY 3 - MERCY (Luke 15:25-28)
As our time together yesterday revealed, Jesus told this parable in response to the criticism of the Pharisees and the scribes. Who up to this point were likely relieved Jesus had not directed judgment toward them! But Jesus’ whole story led up to the response of the older son. Read Luke 15:25. How did Jesus introduce the older son? What had he been doing?
How does this compare with how the younger son chose to spend his time (vs. 13)?
Upon arriving from working in the field the older brother discovered his reckless younger brother had returned. Imagine his excitement. And to top it off, his dad was throwing a party complete with music and dancing. But wait… it gets worse. The fattened calf. Remember the father had already distributed his inheritance to his younger son, which meant everything left belonged to the older son. Restoring the younger son back into the family would come at a high cost to the older son. And the father gave his good-for-nothing younger brother his fattened calf!
Let that sink in. While the younger brother had been off partying, the older brother stayed home and worked. Read Luke 15:28. What was the older brother's response and why? Can you relate to the older brother?
Instead of the discipline the prodigal deserved, the father showed his son mercy. It can be very difficult for the obedient older-brother type to watch someone less deserving receive mercy. Was the father unjust when he lavished love on his younger son? Read Jeremiah 18:1-10 and Romans 9:14-23. What do you learn about God from these passages? To whom can God show mercy?
Like the clay jar, God showed Jeremiah we are all flawed sinners. And because of this, we should be grateful that any of us receive God’s mercy! According to Romans 9:22-23 and 2 Peter 3:9, why is God patient with sinners?
Remember the sinners drawing near to listen to Jesus as He told this parable? They saw God’s glory and mercy shining bright in Jesus and many were led to repentance, but the overwhelming majority of Pharisees did not. Tomorrow we’ll discover why.
DAY 4 - GOODNESS (Luke 15:28-29)
Yesterday, we saw the older brother return from working in the field only to discover his wasteful younger brother had returned and his dad was throwing a party. The fact that the father had to come out and plead with his older son to join the celebration suggests this is a parable of two lost sons, not just one.
HISTORY of the ancient Middle East suggests the oldest son would’ve been responsible to help reconcile wayward children to the father. Far from this, the older son refused to even share in his father's joy when the prodigal did return home! Even though he stayed home, the older son had distanced himself from the loving relationship the father offered, just as the younger son had. What does it say about our hearts when we can’t even be happy about what brings God joy?
Why wasn’t the father's happiness enough for the older son? Why did he refuse to join his celebration? What this parable reveals in verse 29 is quite shocking! Read Luke 15:29. How did the son respond to his father's invitation? Why did he list all the good things he had done?
For many years he had worked hard and obeyed and now his father owed him, at the very least, a goat, which wasn’t nearly as expensive nor could it feed as much as the fattened calf. He believed all his goodness earned him a seat at the father’s table. Yet when he received the same invitation as his undeserving brother to join the celebration, he didn’t take it.
How does the older son reveal that, just like the younger son, he wanted his father's stuff more than he wanted his father? Do you do the same with God?
What is the danger in believing God owes you something for your goodness? How did it impact the older son's relationship with the father?
Before we move on, it should be noted that throughout the Bible, God does call believers to obey and to do good. In fact, goodness is a fruit of the Spirit, meaning it’s evidence of true faith placed in Jesus (Galatians 5:22). The difference is good works are the result of God working in the life of a believer, not a means to earn God (Philippians 2:13). It’s when we get this backward, like the Pharisees, we miss that our only way to a seat at the Father’s heavenly table is through Jesus.
DAY 5 - A SECOND LOOK AT SIN (Luke 15:30-32)
All the good, outward actions of the Pharisees didn’t make up for what Jesus saw on the inside. Jesus wanted the Pharisees to see themselves in the older son and repent. The only problem is, it’s really hard to see your need for repentance when you don’t believe you’ve sinned. Read Matthew 23:27-28. How did the Pharisees and the older son define sin? How do you define sin?
We tend to focus on obvious outward sins like those of the prodigal son, but this parable tells us sin is more than that. The older son’s sins were inward and hidden, but just as deadly. All sin separates us from God. Read Luke 15:30. Why do you think it was hard for the older son to see his own sin? Why is comparing your sin to others dangerous?
Read Mark 7:14-23. Where does sin come from? What are the more “hidden” sins listed in verse 22? What were the hidden sins of the older son? What hidden sins do you struggle with?
The Pharisees were brilliant at justifying sin. In Luke 16:14-15, their desire to “appear righteous” (NLT) justified their love of money. How do you justify your sin?
Sin is more than just breaking rules, it’s rejecting God’s authority and deciding to go your own way, just as both sons had. Read Mark 7:6-13. What did the Pharisees place above the Word of God? In what ways do you “nullify the word of God” (vs. 13, CSB) by going your own way?
Take heart friends, this is hard, but it’s also vital. For if we don’t see our need for a Savior, we’ll never say YES to Jesus. Read 1 John 1:9. What happens when you confess your sin to God?
When you repent, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse you! Notice the father in this parable had to celebrate when his son went from death to life. To not rejoice would be against God’s nature. We see the nature of God revealed at the end of this parable. Read Luke:15:31-32. What was the father's response? How does his response reveal God’s desire for all of us?
The story abruptly ends at verse 32 and we’re led to wonder what the older son did. Did he return home and join the celebration? Remember who Jesus was talking to. It’s likely that Jesus wanted the Pharisees to wonder what their response would be as the older son. If you relate to the older son, what would you do?
Written by: Sarah West
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