How do we respond to those that “come to themselves” (repent and come back to God, to be once again restored into full fellowship with God’s people)? Do we act like the prodigal son’s older brother and get angry and envious of others when they repent, or do we have the attitude the younger son’s father had when his son returned from a “far country”?

When his father heard the words of his younger son, he ran to meet him, and wanted to have a celebration because his son had returned. This is how our Father feels when we return from a “far country.” While studying this it is interesting to note that the father did not run after his younger son when he wanted his inheritance, left, and squandered the resources in a “far country.” However, when his younger son returns, and was a great way off, the father ran to meet his younger son and had compassion on him.  Jesus said he fell on his neck and kissed him. Dad loved him and wanted him back.

“And he arose, and came to his father, But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight , and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand,and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry; For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.”
Luke 15:20-24

The older son had quite a different response to his younger brother’s return home. He became envious, jealous, angry, and spiteful of his brother. He preferred his brother remain in a lost condition as opposed to returning home.

Husks are what the swine were eating. During the severe drought in Texas in 2011, ranchers were feeding their cattle corn husks. It is just a filler. No nutrition at all in husks. That is the food he had rather his younger brother be eating. ….and this is exactly what envy and jealousy will do when these  sins enter the heart.

“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music 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 entreated him.”
Luke 15:25

“Envy is negative and destructive. Discontent because of what others have will not add to your possessions. There is, however, greatness in climbing on your own virtues – not in seeing others depressed to your level.” ~ Leroy Brownlow

The older brother said to his father:

“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 15:29-32

When one returns to the fold let us be as the father of the younger son and be exceedingly glad one that was lost is now found and restored. Never allow envy, spite, jealousy, anger to enter our hearts.

“Envy eats nothing but its own heart.”

Eileen Light