The older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son the greatest short story ever told

1.  The Shepard and
the Lost lamb:
The Son
 The Woman and the
Lost dirty coin:
The Holy Spirit
God’s personality – His emotions displayed of sorrow and joy
Distressed, He searches. He feels a deep sense of loss.
 Elated, He finds. He rejoices over that so valued found
 The Father and the
beloved Lost child:
The Father

2. 20 …“But while he was still a long way
off, his father saw him and was filled
with compassion for him; he ran to his
son, threw his arms around him and
kissed him.
What is the personality of God like?
Behold a picture, a pure parental love.
Injured by his child’s ungrateful disgraceful departure.
His child bore his image. His child rejected the virtues,
upbringing, and relationship he had taught.
Parental sorrow on missing his wayward child.
Seized with elation to see his child back.
To run unrestrained , to hug, to kiss a smelly ill clothe
broken child. He reveals his deep love.
Both sorrowful. Both joyful as the picture shows.

3. Take Aways of God’s Personality
God loves. The wayward stinking ill clothed disheveled child
he runs to greet. This wayward child lavished with affection,
the best clothing, the best food, and a feast.
God hopes wanting his child back. Will they return? It’s a
quiet desperation. God releases us to our free will. As
wayward it is fruitless to coerce or bribe or threaten us.
God rejoices. Viewed often as quite stern, God displays joy.
The opportunity now exists for life, security, companionship,
and healing with Him.
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and
put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we
have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead
and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
The Father
Grace means we get what we do not deserve.

4. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working.
When he returned home, he heard music and dancing
in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what
was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told,
‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are
celebrating because of his safe return.’ 28 “The older
brother was angry and wouldn’t go in.
The Emotional Reaction of the Devoted Older Son
The older brother led a self-disciplined dignified honorable life.
Anger and jealousy seizes him

5. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he
replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and
never once refused to do a single thing you told
me to. And in all that time you never gave me
even one young goat for a feast with my
friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back
after squandering your money on prostitutes, you
celebrate by killing the fattened calf!
The Elder Son’s Response
The younger brother should be renounced, shamed, and ridiculed.
Angry his brother lived a wanton life.
Angry his brother disgraced himself and the
family reputation.
Jealousy provoked as his brother honored.
Why has my father shown such undeserved
favoritism to my disgraced wayward brother?

6. Why must we rejoice?
 Grievous injured by his own making, your
brother’s life matters more than our family
reputation!
 Your brother’s life cannot be compared to our
losses. He lost everything. He wasted his
inheritance. Sure, I wish it had not happened. But
look we must celebrate. Your lost brother - my
lost son is found!
The Father’s Response
’31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and
everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your
brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
 “You have always been with me” You benefited
by staying with me. Your brother has endured
loneliness, abuse, and lack of true friends or
family who love him. You have not.
 “All that is mine is Yours” I would not have what
I have now if it were not for your loyal service. I
appreciate you! Your devotion has not gone
unnoticed. “All that is mine is Yours”.

7.  Describes the Personality of God the Father
 The reaction of the older son was natural.
 The grace of the Father was supernatural.
 Afterall it was his offense. He could do
what he wanted with it.
Rembrandt – Located - the Hermitage
St. Petersburg, Russia