John MacArthurThe Prodigal Son

“This elder son had no better relationship with his father than the Prodigal did when he first left home.”

Matthew 26:29 (NIV)

"I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

Revelation 19:9 (NIV)

Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'"

The True Elder Brother

Campaign:

A Tale of Two sons

What’s Happened…• Father divided the wealth

• The younger son left

• He lost everything & returned to be a worker

• Greeted by Father’s love he was received as a son

• A celebration was ordered

What’s Happened…• The older son came back

• He inquired about the celebration

• He refused to go in

• His father pleaded with him

• A revealing exchange

• An open ending…a question

“Connections”

From Kenneth E. Bailey

• The list of parallel issues found in the two sons

• The “theological” content of the story

The Audiences

Within the Parable

Original Audience

What We Understand

The story gives fresh meaning into what it means to be “lost”

Luke 19:10 (NIV)

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

But, a similar question is just as real for the younger son, “How did he act at the

banquet; the next day?”

The story ends with the question, “Did the

elder son (will I) go into the banquet?”

The greater question may be, “What do you believe

about the father’s response to these two imagined

choices?”

Who do you believe God is? What do you believe about Him?

John 15:9 (NIV)

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

Jesus, as aTrue Elder Brother

A True Elder Brother

• Loves the father and his values (finds peace at home)• Leaves home to find lost sons

and daughters• Will give “anything” to find a

lost brother or sister• His greatest joy is reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:17b-18a (NIV)

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ

John 8:42 (NIV)

"If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me."

Jesus The True Elder Brother

By telling the story in a trilogy Jesus has implied that He is the missing character in this story.

He left Father’s home to search for the lost son(s) (and daughters) and will pay any price to find them and bring them home.

Reconsider the man on the right in Rembrandt’s

painting – is he possibly the true elder brother?

John 15:9-12 (MSG)

Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done — kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.

John 15:9-12 (MSG)

I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you.

The True Elder Brother

Campaign:

A Tale of Two sons