The Elder Son's Remonstrance
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Probing the significance of the elder son's reaction to his father's offer of grace.
Text: Luke 15:25-32
Date: 06/30/2024, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 155
Description:
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?"
View:
Options:
I. Introduction, Gen. 6:5-6.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 15:25-32.
A. Context
B. The elder son's sin.
1. The elder son's reaction, vs. 25-27.
a. The elder son's arrival, vs. 25.
i. Keeping the parable in perspective.
1) Maintaining the focus on the father.
2) Establishing the locations.
3) What the elder son was doing.
4) A Theologically important detail.
ii. Coming upon a celebration.
1) Confused, suspicious and indignant.
2) A spontaneous celebration.
3) Explaining the reaction of the Pharisees.
b. The report of the servant, vs. 26-27.
i. The scene at the gates, vs. 26.
ii. The stunning news, vs. 27.
2. The elder son's belligerence, 28-30.
a. Pouting outside, vs 28.
i. The refusal.
1) A dishonoring scene, Esth. 1:12.
2) Flipping the bill.
3) The eschatological perspective, Luke 13:24-28, 14:15.
ii. The father's summons.
1) Another sign of shame, Esth. 1:19.
2) Another sign of grace.
3) Grace for the self-righteous.
b. A self-righteous, farcical tirade, vs. 29.
i. A disgraceful address.
ii. Implied slavery.
iii. Hypocrisy and blindness.
iv. The accusation of favoritism.
v. A son who intends to remain outside.
1) Emblematic of self-righteousness.
2) A far-reaching parable, Luke 15:7, 10; Matt. 6:2.
vi. Describing the Pharisees, Luke 11:39-40.
c. Anger at grace, vs. 30.
i. A derogatory reference.
ii. Cutting himself off from the family.
iii. His complaint against the younger son.
1) What the elder son values.
2) A malicious accusation, Deut. 21:18,21.
iv. Incapable of comprehending the joy of grace.
3. The father's loving explanation, vs. 31-32.
a. Love for the elder son, vs. 31.
i. A loving address.
ii. Another line in the sand.
iii. A guarantee of status quo.
iv. The reaction of the Pharisees.
b. Love for the recalcitrant son, vs. 32.
i. Looking at the words.
ii. A necessary celebration.
C. The missing ending.
1. Noticing the form.
2. A hanging question.
3. Three possibilities.
a. The redemptive ending: the son repents.
b. The legalist ending: the father repents.
c. The shocking reality.
III. Conclusion
