The prideful son

‘The older brother was so angry that he would not go into the house; so his father came out and begged him to come in. But he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have worked for you like a slave, and I have never disobeyed your orders. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends! But this son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes, and when he comes back home, you kill the prize calf for him!”’ (verses 28-30)

Read Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

‘The Prodigal Son’ is one of the most famous stories in the Bible. It is often quoted as the essential gospel story, illustrating how God is happy to welcome back all his errant children, no matter how low they have sunk.

If you study its context, however, you find that Jesus told this parable to an audience comprised mainly of religious leaders and others convinced of their own virtue. That is why the focus of the story, as it approaches its punchline, moves away from the wastrel son to his older sibling. It is this brother, full of his own rectitude, whom Jesus wished to highlight. ‘The Prideful Son’ is a more accurate title for the parable.

Sure, the parable teaches that we can all gain comfort from the assurance that no matter how far we stray from God he will always welcome us back. But God is often hindered in this work by the self-righteous and judgmental attitudes of those who claim to be his, by their resentment towards the needy and sorry people he wants to save.

Dear God, I am proud to be a member of your family. Preserve me from pride in my own goodness and help me to love others as you have loved me. Amen.

by Richard Hauser, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

Visit the Daily Devotion archives page.