iansimkins: In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), we often focus on the younger son-the rebel who took his inheritance, left home, and hit rock bottom. His story is familiar: rebellion, regret, return.
But there's another son in the story-the older brother-whose struggle is more subtle but just as dangerous: resentment.
The younger son's rebellion is obvious. He runs from the father's house, convinced that freedom is found far from home. His story feels messy and loud. Yet, when he returns, expecting judgment, he's met with grace.
The Father runs to him, embraces him, and throws a feast. The Father goes after the rebel with mercy.
But don't miss the older brother. His rebellion isn't in leaving; it's in staying for the wrong reasons. On the outside, he looks faithful-he stayed home, did the work, followed the rules. But inside? Resentment.
Anger. Entitlement. When the celebration begins, he refuses to join. He's bitter because grace feels unfair when you think you've earned it. And yet, the Father goes after him, too. He leaves the party to plead with his older son.
The Father pursues both sons. The reckless and the resentful. The wanderer and the worker. The one who broke all the rules and the one who followed them but missed the heart behind them.
We can run from God in obvious rebellion-ignoring His ways, chasing counterfeit freedom. But we can also resist Him through quiet resentment-believing our goodness earns us something, resenting grace when it's given freely to others.
Both rebellion and resentment keep us from the joy of the Father's table. But the good news? The Father's love runs toward both. His arms are open to the returning rebel and the resentful rule-follower.
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