Pictures from the Prodigal: The Pharisee's Pride (4)

The Center of PrIde

There is one thing which is at the very center of prIde. The eldest brother was focused on himself without any care for the brother who had been lost. He was a mirror image of the Pharisees of the time and their collective attitude toward the “publicans, harlots, and sinners” of their day (Luke 15;2). These are not the only ones who got themselves caught in the center of pride.

Think of these Biblical illustrations of pride:

·         Think of Haman from the book of Esther. This is an individual who would literally thought a parade should be thrown in his honor. His arrogance almost destroyed an entire race of people. He wound up hanging from the gallows he had built for his worst enemy (Esther 7:9-10).

·         What about Naaman? He was told my Elisha to dip himself seven times in the river Jordan to be cured of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:9-10). He grew angry because it was not the amazing showcase which he expected! It took a servant of his to say, “If it was extravagant would you have done it? Why not do this?” He did and was healed.

·         Nebuchadnezzar learned an important lesson in pride when he was forced to go on his hands and knees as an animal for a period of time after he made a boastful proclamation concerning his kingdom (Dan. 4:28-37).

What was at the center of all of their pride? “I.” “I am the greatest. “Behold, I thought…” “My kingdom.” At the center of the eldest brother’s pride was his own selfishness. “I have been faithful all this time. You never gave me what you have given him! You never threw a party for me!” I can be a dangerous thing when “I” is centered around prIde. The same goes for the attitude of those who say, “What can the church do for me?” Those who choose to make themselves the center of their worship.

His Pride Caused Him to Miss the Point

The property had already been divided. What was there was under the possession of the eldest brother. He was still heir to the blessings of the father. Therefore, he had no right to complain about the small gifts given to his brother. This one who had returned was still the eldest’s brother! He needed to be snapped back into reality. The Pharisees needed to be snapped back into reality. It was imperative for them to realize what God’s will for a lost man was and the ultimate purpose of Christ. “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:33). Christ came to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10)! They also needed to realize that their self-righteousness caused their relationship with God to be what it should not have been!

Do not miss the point of this parable! God wants the lost to enter a right relationship with Him. The youngest son is any person who goes off into a world of sin but makes the decision to return to the only One who can heal them. The far off country is sin. The father of this parable is a picture of God, The Father. The eldest brother represents the Pharisees and their pride. God rejoices when the lost come home. What is our reaction? Do we rejoice or do we share the attitude of the eldest brother?

Will we be like the elder who, when a certain member came forward, told the preacher, “I will never trust him again”? Will we be like God?