The Jealous Brother Of The Prodigal Son

In today's story, we will learn about the jealous brother of the Prodigal son.  Last time, we learned about the Prodigal son who left home with his inheritance and spent all recklessly. 

What happened to the Prodigal son in the previous story?

The younger son wasted all the inheritance money that his father had given to him.  He became homeless and hungry and fed pigs for a living. During that time, he remembered his loving father and returned to him. 

‘I’m not worthy to be your son. I am sorry I have wasted all the inheritance money you gave me. Let me be your servant,’ he begged his father.

The father’s heart was filled with loving kindness towards his son. He told his servant to bring the best robe and shoes and a ring for his son’s finger.

 

He told his servants to prepare the best roast beef and food for a great feast, with music and dancing, to celebrate the return of his long lost son. 

The brother of the Prodigal son returns from the fields

When the older brother came home from working hard on the farm all day and heard the music and laughter, he wondered what the fuss was all about.

He was so jealous that his father was celebrating the return of his useless brother. 

‘I have worked hard for you for years. What have you ever done for me?’ he asked. 

‘Son you are always with me and everything I have is yours. We should be happy and celebrate together that your lost brother is found."

What message can we learn from the jealous brother of the Prodigal son?

We must choose to be happy when people repent of their sins and come to Christ. 

We learn too that we should not be jealous when someone else is honoured. 

Our Father in Heaven rejoices when someone who is far from Him returns and asks for forgiveness

Prodigal son bible verses

Luke 15: 1 - 3 and 11 - 24

Luk 15:1

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.

Luke 15:2

And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Luk 15:3

So he told them this parable:

Luk 15:11

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.

Luk 15:12

And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.

Luk 15:13

Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

Luk 15:14

And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

Luk 15:15

So he went and hired himself out to  one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

Luk 15:16

And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

Luk 15:17

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

Luk 15:18

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

Luk 15:19

I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’

Luk 15:20

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Luk 15:21

And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

Luk 15:22

But the father said to his servants,‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

Luk 15:23

And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

Luk 15:24

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

The jealous brother of the Prodigal Son bible verses

Luk 15:25 - “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

Luk 15:26 - And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

Luk 15:27 - And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’

Luk 15:28 - But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

Luk 15:29 - but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

Luk 15:30 - But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

Luk 15:31 - And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

Luk 15:32 - It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

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