Originally published at Churchpop
One of the more overlooked facts from the parable of the Prodigal Son is that after the younger brother has wasted all his inheritance, he knows his father is merciful.
He counts on that mercy but does not presume upon it; he only expects his father to bring him on as a servant.
He does not expect to be brought back as a son. He is aware of the gravity of his sin against his father and against God.
What the son finds is a mercy far greater than what he rightfully expects. His father is so overjoyed at his son’s return that the boy scarcely gets his apology out before the father restores him to the family.
But this parable is not only about the younger son.
Scripture tells us that the parable is directed to the scribes and Pharisees who scorned Jesus for eating with and consorting with tax collectors and sinners.
The second focus of the story is the older brother.
He does not share in his father’s disposition of mercy. He holds his brother in so much contempt that he refers to him as “your son” and not “my brother.”
The father is saddened that for a son who has “done everything you ever asked,” he
