3. Rebellion and Pride
In the story of the Prodigal Son, there are two brothers, a younger and an older; both personify two distinct types of spiritually dead people living separated from God.
The Rebellious Young Son:
The younger son asks for his father’s inheritance, suggesting his father is better off dead than alive. After receiving his portion of the inheritance, he moves a long way away and squanders his possessions on his hedonistic lifestyle. This son represents people full of rebellion, who reject their Heavenly Father, squander their inheritance, and willingly choose to live separated from God. The book of Romans described these people like this:
“Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused [spiritually blind]. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:21-23).
Rather than worshiping his Creator, the young son worshiped created things, the things of this world. Guilt and despair were indicative of this boy's life. While the boy initially believed the lie that it would be better to live independently from his father, over time, this son believed a lie that his wretched behavior disqualified him from receiving God’s love (Luke 15:19). Satan initially tempted the boy to live a life independent of his father, then changed his role from tempter to accuser, suggesting the boy was now no longer worthy of being his father’s son.
The Prideful Older Son:
While the younger son in the story is rebellious, the older son works hard, aiming to earn his father’s love by strict obedience and good deeds. Not seeing his own need for grace, the older son’s self-righteous heart gets exposed when his prodigal brother returns home and is welcomed with great joy by his father.
This son believed the lie that his good works earned his father’s love. Blind to his own disobedience, the older son refused to obey his father, who was begging him to come into the house and celebrate his brother’s safe return. He continues in his error, accusing the father of “never giving” him even one young goat while, at the beginning of the story, the father divides his inheritance between both sons (Luke 15:12). In his resentment, the older son refuses to acknowledge his brother but instead uses the words, “this son of yours.”
The older boy in this parable is representative of people blinded by pride. The older son’s resentful outburst and unforgiving heart revealed that he did not understand the true nature of God’s great love and grace for repentant children. The older son was physically alive, able to work hard, but spiritually dead. His good works were done from a place of “earning” God’s acceptance rather than from a place of “receiving” God’s love (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Pride is rooted in comparison and is the opposite of humility. Rather than acknowledging what God has done, it bypasses God’s free gift of grace in an effort to do something to earn self-righteousness. Regardless of how well the older son followed the rules, his heart was hardened by unforgiveness. Therefore, instead of rejoicing over his brother’s safe return, he became embittered and angry, convinced he was the son who deserved the celebration.
Jesus said, “If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:15). Unforgiveness carries severe consequences in God’s Kingdom. Unfortunately for the older son in the story, it is he who is left outside the house of faith, angry and unforgiving toward his own flesh and blood. At the end of the story, it is he who is the lost son, refusing to obey his father and blind to his own need for the father’s mercy and grace.
The Bible makes it clear that unforgiveness:
robs us of God’s forgiveness (Matthew 6:15)
causes us to walk in darkness (1 John 2:9-11)
reflects a godless heart (Job 36:13)
The two boys in the Prodigal Son parable are symbolic of all humanity. Each boy represents two distinct groups who are spiritually dead, living a life separated from God. All humanity consists only of those who are rebellious to God, denying His authority, and those who are prideful, believing their “good works” will earn their Father’s acceptance.
While the defiant actions of the rebellious young son are easy to identify, the behavior of the prideful, unforgiving older son was more discrete. The Bible emphasizes, “All people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous — not even one” (Romans 3:9-10).
All people, both the rebellious and the prideful, need God’s grace. Fortunately, God has extended an invitation to rescue all those who humble themselves, recognize their need for a savior, and choose to return home. No one is too far gone to receive His mercy and grace. The Bible declares, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV).
CHAPTER INDEX: Introduction | The Prodigal Story | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Who are you in God’s Story?