Pictures from the Prodigal: The Pharisee's Pride (2)

The Relationship with His Father was Lacking.

Look at the reaction the eldest brother had towards the news of his brother’s return. “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick 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: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:25-32).

Lack of Submission to the Father’s Will. He did not care for his returning brother. He certainly did not care for his father’s reaction toward this returning son. Rather than join with the rest in the festivities, he stayed to himself. It somewhat reminds us of men like Diotrephes, who wanted things their way (3^rd John 1:7). His father’s will was to take back this lost son, treat this prodigal as if he had never left, and bless him accordingly. This elder brother wanted to toss this individual out in the streets.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9). We sometimes look at verses like this and act as if that is a good thing. Our ways are different from God’s ways! Should not our ways be like God’s ways? Are Christians commanded to be “godly,” that is, god-like? His ways should be our ways. His thoughts should be our thoughts. We should want what He wants. The eldest brother did not.

Lack of Trust in the Father’s Judgment. The eldest brother was more focused on what the prodigal had done wrong than done right. Yes, his brother made a huge mistake to set off toward the far away country and spend all he had. That was a huge mistake! At the same time the youngest brother made the best decision he could in returning home. This focus caused the eldest to mistrust his father’s judgment.

This lack of submission and lack of trust led to a Lack of Love to the Lost Brother.

Take this idea to the Pharisees. They lacked proper Submission to the Will of God with their own additions to the Law of God. They also lacked Trust in the Father’s Judgment as God in the Flesh was standing before them and they did not care for His mission of saving the lost. They certainly did not have love for their Jewish brethren.