The Prodigal Son... the Lost Verses
Luke 15:32 In the following years the younger son worked diligently to earn what the father had so freely bestowed upon him. But the guilt and regret of shaming himself and his family never completely left him and often stole his joy.
33 Though reconciled with his brother, their relationship was never the same and was forever tainted with unspoken suspicion, distrust, and resentment.
34 When he took a wife, his lost innocence haunted their marriage bed, as the immorality in his past proved to be a lingering stumbling block for him and his bride.
35 His past dependence upon strong drink was a distracting temptation in stressful times, that robbed his confidence.
36 The son was restored in his father's house, but his innocent heart and his good name were forever lost to this world. And though he found salvation in his father's arms the son learned that his sins had left an itching scar. He was forgiven and reborn. Still, his disobedience had its price.
Disclaimer: Though the above verses may hold some insight into man and the effects of sin, they are not a part of scripture and are not divinely inspired.
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37 And the eldest son nurtured his sense of self-righteousness during the years the prodigal was away. "See how I work," he said. "My father will surely love me even more."
38 After he saw how his father welcomed the wayward son back into the family, the eldest allowed the seed of his self-righteousness to grow into anger, and resentment, and bear the fruit of hatred.
39 Though he treated his brother as his father wished, he never forgave his brother for what he had done, and he never forgave his father for letting the prodigal come back home.
40 When he took a wife, his anger and hatred permeated their marriage. He sought out slights against him and lack of appreciation for all he did and accused his wife of many things she did not do.
41 There was no peace in his heart. Though he had his father's love, he could not accept the truth that it was unconditional. He never ceased trying to win his father's approval and lost out on the many blessings that were his. His sins of the heart had their price.
Disclaimer: Malott-inspired, not divinely inspired.
Skyepuppy,
Interesting take.
You know I never gave the older brother much thought. As a child I always thought of him as my brother Matt who is 5 years older than I am... and Matt would have acted exactly like the eldest son in this situation. But Matt is a good person. He wouldn't like it, but he would come around.
I see the story ending with the older brother going into the party with his father's hand on his shoulder. The father leads his older son to the prodigal who grabs his older brother in an embrace, burying his face in the taller son's chest. The older brother reluctantly pats him on the back with one hand, looks at the father, and rolls his eyes.
The Prodigal is a wonderful example of our Father's love, but I think it is an incomplete view of sin. We should tell our young people that sin leaves scars. It leaves unholy memories and longings. This is the "very good reason" why we are supposed to do things the right way.
But, back to the older brother... I guess if he could find no joy in the fact that his little brother was saved... and if he resented his previously broken-hearted father's joy and happiness... then maybe he was pathological enough to live out the scenario you presented.
Chris,
The beauty of this parable is that there's so much more unwritten than was written.
The father goes out to the older brother and asks him to come in and enjoy the party. But Jesus never told us if the brother actually came. You told the story with the brother joining the party. My version had the brother refusing.
The younger brother's sin was so blatant. He knew what he'd done, and he repented. But sins of the heart are more easily hidden--from everyone but the Father.
It's interesting in v.30 that the brother says, "...this son of yours..." to the father. Like saying, "He's no brother of mine!"
But in v.32 the father says, "...this brother of yours...." Another reminder of the importance of relationship and especially of forgiveness.
I wish I knew which decision the older brother made. I hope he made the one you described. But there are too many people who choose the bittersweet taste of resentment to feed on, and they're the ones who live their lives wondering why it all seems so empty.
The Father has so much to give and more than enough blessings for everyone. We're the ones, though, who have to choose to accept them.
Wonderful post! Thanks for giving me the inspiration to explore the darker side for a change.
"...there are too many people who choose the bittersweet taste of resentment to feed on, and they're the ones who live their lives wondering why it all seems so empty."
And is there anything sadder than the fact that these brothers represent people from our Church?
Beautifully thought-out and written, as usual. I used to be clever and analytical but I grew out of it.
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