over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety
and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Mark 15:7
In this article, we're going to look at the third person in that parable, the Elder Brother. The younger son, the "prodigal", had come to his senses, realized the sad state of his existence and made up his mind to go back to his father's house. Scripture tells us that while he was a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and RAN to meet him. Oh, what great rejoicing--his child had come home!
No one who has come to know the boundless Love of God--His mercies that are made new every morning, His peace that passes all understanding, His amazing Grace that we didn't get what we deserve, His joy unspeakable and full of glory should never suffer from the Elder Brother's Ailment. It is when we forget these things of God that the Elder Brother's Ailment can set up housekeeping in our hearts and minds towards other people.
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Luke 15:25-32.Did you see the "Who-does-HE-think-he-is?" attitude that the father did NOT have, but was so VERY EVIDENT in the elder brother? It's the Elder Brother's Ailment, and is still flourishing in many congregations today. It springs directly from pride and self-preference. Like the Pharisees of old, many folks today would far rather see a person die in their sins than offer a moment's compassion to share with him (or her) the Good News of Jesus Christ. How awfully sad the state of someone who has so lost the joy of their salvation that their service to God has become duty of drudgery instead of loving dedication.
Many times, we sit in judgment against someone, making God and their affairs, our business. Yes, we do, indeed. We're like Peter, who asked Jesus, "What About John?" Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? John 21:20,21. What did Jesus answer him? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. John 21:22.
Did you get it? Jesus told Peter, "If I want John to stay alive until I come, what business is it of yours? YOU follow ME! Don't concern yourself with John's and My business--you take care of yours and My business--YOU follow ME." We would all be better stewards of the blessings from God we have received, if we would just remember that.
So many times we forget to show the mercy that has been extended to us toward others. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as God has forgiven us, we need to forgive others. Some might say, "That's very hard to do." No, it isn't! You want to know what's "hard" about it? The "hard part" is in crucifying ourselves, in swallowing our pride and prejudices, in submitting OUR will to the Will of God! The hard part is not in forgiving one another--the hard part is in making ourselves do what we ought. We, as humans, are very adept at holding grudges. But I ask you, who are we to hold grudges against another when God has forgiven us?
This is how our Lord taught His disciples to pray: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13.
Now I want you to notice some specifics about this prayer: (1) God the Father is "first of all" in it. In other words, God is FIRST given His supreme place. It is only AFTER God has been given His place, FIRST, that all other things fall into their proper places. (2) Prayer is never to be our attempt to bend the will of God to what we WANT: prayer must always be the submission of our will to His. (3) "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." The literal meaning is: "Forgive us our sins in proportion to how much we forgive those who have sinned against us."
Think about that. It is a fact: God deals with us according to how we deal with others. And it's not just the "direct wrongs" that have been committed against us that we hold against folks--it's if we "perceive" in our hearts that they have done wrong--we set ourselves up as their judge, jury and executioner! Yet in Matthew 6, verses 14 and 15 that Jesus says in the plainest possible language: IF we forgive others, God will forgive us; but if we refuse to forgive others, God will refuse to forgive us. Oh God, cure us of that Elder Brother's Ailment!
Jealousy is a direct contributor to the Elder Brother's Ailment. I well remember as a little girl, I was very jealous of my mother. She was our Sunday School teacher, and sometimes another child would want to sit close by her side. It never took long for me to insert myself between she and anyone who I perceived was trying to lay claim to her attention or affection. After all, she was MY mother. As I grew older, I realized that the few moments she spent with other children was not going to change the way she felt about me.
Yet that is exactly how many "professed" Christians act about God, as if they have a monopoly on Him. We forget that it is NOT us who "own" God, but He Who owns us! God does NOT belong to us--we belong to God. But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8.
You know, ALL of us have to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. II Peter 3:18. There's not a one of us, no matter the length of our service to God, who knows all we need to know, my friends. Matter of fact, the longer we serve the Lord, if we allow ourselves to grow in grace and knowledge, we begin to realize more and more how truly little we do know of Him--we hunger to know Him in His fullness! Now why would we not want that for anyone who comes to Christ?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35,37-39.
Jesus, Himself, said in John 10:27,28: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:27,28.
There is NO reason or excuse for any of us who know the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior to ever exhibit the Elder Brother's Ailment, my friends. Each of us need to remember not only where God has brought us from, but all that He has brought us through. How could we NOT want to share that with all we meet? How could we not rejoice with those who come to Christ?
If you suffer from the Elder Brother's Ailment, get it out of your heart and life, today! You can be set free of it: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51:10-12.
"The Elder Brother's Ailment" Copyright © 2002 by Patricia Sikes.
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