The parable of the "other brother" in Luke 15 reveals how easy it is for those who have remained faithful or "inside" to develop an attitude of spiritual elitism, looking down on those who have wandered or fallen. This mindset can creep into the church, causing us to exclude or judge others rather than welcoming them with open arms. Jesus' story challenges us to examine our hearts for any pride or self-righteousness that keeps us from celebrating the return of the lost and from truly reflecting the inclusive love of God. [05:48]
Luke 15:25-28 (ESV)
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him.”
Reflection: Is there someone you have quietly excluded or judged in your heart? How can you take a step today to welcome or encourage them instead?
No matter how "good" we may appear on the outside, Scripture reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. Both the prodigal and the "other brother" needed the father's grace, just as we all need God's forgiveness. It's easy to forget our own need for mercy when we compare ourselves to others, but true humility comes from recognizing our shared brokenness and our equal need for God's redeeming love. [08:18]
Romans 3:23 (ESV)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Reflection: In what ways have you relied on your own goodness instead of God’s grace? What would it look like to confess your need for His mercy today?
The turning point in the parable is when the prodigal "came to himself" and decided to return home, confessing his sin. No matter how far we have wandered or how broken we feel, it is never too late to turn back to God. The Father is always ready to receive us, not with condemnation, but with open arms and celebration. Repentance is not just a one-time act, but a continual posture of the heart, choosing to come home to God again and again. [16:48]
Luke 15:17-20 (ESV)
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to “come to yourself” and return to God? What is one step you can take today to move toward Him?
The father’s response to both sons is a picture of God’s unwavering love and generosity. Even when we are jealous, angry, or feel unworthy, God calls us “child” and reminds us that we still belong to Him. He does not withhold His blessings, but offers us the fullness of His kingdom and a restored relationship. God looks beyond our faults and sees our needs, always ready to give us more than we could ask or imagine. [25:42]
Luke 15:31-32 (ESV)
“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
Reflection: When have you doubted God’s love or felt unworthy of His blessings? How can you receive and celebrate His generosity toward you today?
God does not define us by our past mistakes or failures, but by the future He has prepared for us. The call is to stop comparing ourselves to others, let go of envy, and focus on the journey ahead. When we allow the Holy Spirit to move in our hearts, we can celebrate others’ victories, forgive past hurts, and step boldly into the new life God offers. Our hope is not in what we have done, but in what God is doing and will do through us. [34:26]
Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Reflection: What is one regret or comparison from your past that you need to release? How can you focus on God’s future for you and celebrate the journey ahead?
Today, we gathered in gratitude for another homecoming, reflecting on the deep truths found in Luke 15—not just about the prodigal son, but about the “other brother.” While the prodigal’s story is familiar, it’s the elder brother’s heart that often mirrors our own attitudes within the church. Jesus’ parable challenges us to examine not only the obvious sins of wandering far from God, but also the subtle sins of pride, jealousy, and self-righteousness that can take root even while we remain “at home” in the faith. The elder brother’s reluctance to celebrate his sibling’s return exposes how easy it is to become judgmental, to measure ourselves against others, and to forget the grace that has been extended to us all.
The parable reminds us that both sons were in need of the father’s mercy—one lost in a distant land, the other lost in his own heart. The father’s response to both is the same: an invitation to relationship, restoration, and celebration. God’s love is not reserved for those who have never strayed, nor is it diminished by our failures. Instead, He calls each of us—whether we identify with the prodigal or the elder brother—to come in, to rejoice, and to receive all that He has for us.
We are cautioned against developing an attitude of spiritual elitism, where we look down on those who struggle or have fallen. The church is not a place for comparison or exclusion, but a home for all who recognize their need for grace. True revival and the presence of God are found when we humble ourselves, confess our own need, and celebrate the restoration of others. The story ultimately points us to “another brother”—Jesus Himself—who left His home in glory to bring us back, to claim us as His own, and to offer us the fullness of the Father’s kingdom.
Let us focus not on the shortcomings of others, but on the goodness of God, the cleansing of our own hearts, and the hope of our future in Christ. May we be a people who welcome, forgive, and rejoice, knowing that God’s love is greater than our past and His blessings are more than we can imagine.
Luke 15:11–32 (ESV) — [Read the parable of the prodigal son and the elder brother.]
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