The Prodigal Son and His Self-righteous Brother.

The parable of the prodigal son, as told in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 15:11-32), is a poignant story that centers on the younger, wayward son who squanders his inheritance and then returns home, seeking forgiveness and redemption. While this parable primarily focuses on the younger son's transformation and the father's unconditional love, it also contains a compelling character—the older brother. Often overlooked, the older brother struggles with jealousy, envy, and contempt, demonstrating that he too was a lost son.

A father welcomes his lost son home.

The sibling relationship dynamics between the prodigal son and his older brother offer timeless lessons that resonate with contemporary sibling issues. The older brother in the parable of the prodigal son may not have made the same mistakes as his younger sibling, but he faced different challenges that were equally significant.

At some point, many of us have felt the need to seek forgiveness or redemption, whether from family, friends, or even ourselves. Like the prodigal son, we yearn for a fresh start.

His emotional struggles, including jealousy, resentment, and self-righteousness, were hurdles that needed to be addressed. The older brother's inability to grasp the concept of forgiveness and compassion reflects a need for education in these virtues.

We've all made mistakes or poor choices at some point in our lives. Like the prodigal son, we may have experienced the consequences of those decisions and felt regret.

At times, we need to overcome our own pride and ego to seek forgiveness or reconciliation. The prodigal son's humility in returning to his father serves as an example of putting pride aside. The older brother could have also benefited from humility, empathy, understanding, and forgiveness.

The parable serves as a reminder of the importance of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation within sibling relationships, transcending time and culture.

-Readers Inspiration