The Elder Son's Remonstrance; Luke 15:25-32

Delivered during the Sunday Morning Worship Service, 6/30/2024. We come to the dramatic conclusion of the parable of a loving father and two wayward sons as we study the reaction of the elder brother to the prodigal's return. We will once again step out of our culture and into the first century Middle Eastern mindset to learn why the elder son's remonstrance against his father is just as dishonoring and in some ways more sinful than the rebellion of the younger son. We will realize the deep significance of the elder son's refusal to come inside to join the celebration, forcing his father to come outside to entreat him to come in. Obviously Jesus is teaching a lesson to the Pharisees and all people in all ages who think their own righteousness will reconcile them with the Father. Ultimately we will notice that this segment of the parable is left unfinished and discover the shocking reality of what actually happens to the elder son as we ponder the deeper eschatological question, applicable to all of us-- "Are you in?"