Firstborn Objections

No Where to Lay His Head ...

Teachings

Objections of the Firstborn

Luke 15:25-32

“All the house was celebrating the return of the lost son. But the oldest son was at work, and as he was driving up to the house, he heard the blasting music and asked one of his father’s workers, standing outside, ‘What’s going on here?’ And the worker said, ‘Your brother has arrived today and so your father is feeding everyone steak because he is safe and sound.’ The older brother fumed at this and drove away. After a while his father called him and invited him to come and join the party. He yelled back at his father, “What kind of hypocrisy is this? I’ve worked for you for years and have always been a faithful son, always doing as you asked. But did you ever allow me to have a party with my friends? No, never! But this so-called “son” of yours shows up after just disappearing and using up all of your money on sex and drugs and everyone gets steak!’ His father spoke gently to him, ‘My son, I know how faithful you have been. You’ve always been there, and if you had asked I would have given you anything. But it is time for us all to have a party, because your brother who was dead has been resurrected. He was long lost, but he has returned.’”

The oldest son, the brother of the prodigal, has a serious discussion with his father, who has accepted his sinful son without even a punishment.

Older Son: Dad, you know that I’ve always been with you. You know I love you, I tell you so every day. You and I established this house together and all the rules are that which we agreed on together. I thought that, over time, you would take the excellent rules we have in place here and establish them throughout all your other lands. But look at this boy! He has completely defied you! How could you just bring him in like this? Shouldn’t he receive some kind of punishment? Perhaps he should spend some time away from the house in order to understand the depth of his failure.

Dad: But I can’t bear to have him away from me even for another moment. He was lost and now he is found—don’t you understand my joy?

OS: Well, sure, dad, I suppose you’ve got some emotional attachment to him. After all, he is your son. But what if he fails again? He’s only human and he’s got a habit of disobeying you now. Heck, who knows what kind of lifestyle he lived when he was out there? What if he continued in it, even in the house? He should know that he needs to be kicked out—never to return—if he messes up again.

Dad: When he is ready to hear the standard, then I will give it to him. But don’t you start giving him your rules. You’ve established too many of them already. It’s fine that you put some rules on the house, while everyone agreed with them. But there’s a few too many for my other son. So give him a break, okay?

OS: But he smokes! He drinks! He uses foul language! That is certainly not allowed in MY house! Andhe’s got all kinds of other unsavory habits! I can’t believe that you even want him here! Maybe he should go through some kind of therapy or rehab before you accept him in.

Dad: Son, you don’t understand. I can’t bear to be apart from my son, whether that be he or you. But I’ve lost him for so long I will take him—foibles and all—and we will work with him over time. But don’t insist upon anything that will drive him away from my house.

OS: I don’t want to drive him away. I just think that he needs to live according to basic principles before he moves in!

Dad: No. I have accepted him. That’s enough. My love and my acceptance is enough for him now. In a little bit, I will give him the ability to grow more like me. But for now, it is enough that he is in my house. It seems odd, my son. For you are talking about the house as if it were yours, but it is not—it is mine.

OS: Of course it’s yours, Father. It’s ours, together. We built up the house together, and we established it.

Dad: (Smiling) I hate to tell you this son, but it’s not yours at all. Yes, I gave your brother his inheritance early, but you know that was unrighteous of him even to ask. For you, all that you have is what I give you and it is all mine, not yours at all.

OS: That brings me to another thing, dad. You need to not be so generous to him. After all, he already wasted your blessings, he certainly doesn’t deserve more! If you have to keep him in the house, fine. But don’t give him any responsibilities. He just doesn’t deserve them, and who knows what disasters he will cause.

Dad: You don’t understand. He is my son, and I will treat him like that. He deserves to have my blessings, not because of anything he has done but because he is my son. So I will continue to give to him, in the hopes that he will learn to use my gifts properly.

OS: Dad! That is MY inheritance you are wasting on that good-for-nothing rebellious son! Those are MY blessings! That is MY wealth! You can’t be throwing it away on him!

Dad: No, son. The wealth is not yours. It is mine and I can give it to whom I wish. And I chose to give it to both of you. You are both my sons, both my family. And I love you both.

OS: I don’t think you do. Not really. So you are going to give him MORE, when you already gave him his share? That’s just not fair.

Dad: It may not be fair, but it’s loving.

OS: Dad, look, you’re going to have to make a choice. I can’t live with him. He is revolting and I feel that he is stealing all of your love away from me. You have ignored me all these years, and now you are putting all this lavish splendor on the one who deserves a kick out the door? No, dad, it’s either me or him. Make your choice.

Dad: (Tears forming in his eyes) Don’t you see? All I am doing is being accepting of the son I love. I am doing nothing wrong. I love you, too, my son. So much I can’t bear your words. But he is the son that has turned to me, and I have received him. If you reject him, you also reject me. If you go now, you will be choosing to put yourself out of the house. You are choosing to separate yourself from me, because I will not separate myself from my son that has returned to me. He was dead, but now he is alive! I can’t hold in my joy at this! But if you leave, then you are the one who is dead—you are the prodigal. I do not want this, my beloved son. But if you reject him—even though he is, from your perspective, “revolting”. Please, please, don’t go away. Stay with me and join in the celebration.

OS: I don’t know. I just don’t know. I’ll think about it.

Dad: (Sighs) Yes my son. You know where you will find me, if you choose to come.

(He turns and goes to the house.)