THE PRODIGAL'S BROTHER.
By J. C. Franz
J. C. FRANZ.
(Battle Creek, Mich.) Much has been said and written and many sermons have been preached from the parable of the prodigal son; yet, like any other Bible subject, this one is by no means exhausted; and by the aid of the Holy Spirit much light and truth can yet be brought from this part of the great storehouse of truth. With these thoughts in mind, let us look for a little while at a phase of the subject to which our attention has probably not so frequently been called, but which should nevertheless receive our deepest study. To my mind, the great love and mercy of God are as much manifested in the dealing of the father with the elder son, as with the younger. Yet how often do we read this parable and entirely ignore the existence of the former! Such, alas! is humanity. We study the Word that is to make us wise unto salvation, with only the prodigal son in view, and thus fail to see in ourselves the prodigal's brother, and to profit by the loving father's words and acts of entreaty to him. Significantly enough the parable begins with the narration of the fact that “a certain man had two sons.” And while it is true that the largest part of the parable deals with the prodigal, we that have ceased to classify ourselves with him, although we may have stood in that position in the past, should not forget for a moment that the prodigal's brother comes in for a large share, yes, the largest share, of a father's boundless love; for, listen to this precious assurance, after the bitter complaining of that elder son: “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” What more could he ask? Christ, our elder brother, in a pre-eminent degree realized the truthfulness of the words just quoted. He said, “All things that the Father hath are mine.” John 16:15. But what will all this avail us if we do not make these words our very own? Will we not be found occupying the position of the elder brother in the parable, complaining and finding fault because the mercy of God is extended to others besides ourselves? Is this spirit not exactly opposite to that of our Elder Brother, and of the angels in heaven, who rejoice over one sinner that repents, more than over the ninety and nine that need no repentance? But let us look a little further at the unjust remarks of our prototype, the prodigal's brother: “Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment [How many among us dare say as much as that?]: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.” Do we read all this, and then say: Well, that is certainly the truth so far as my experience goes? Have I not tried to do the best I could? Have I not toiled to advance the message? Yet my brethren have not appreciated either my labor or my sufferings. But these from the slums, who have devoured our Father's substance with harlots, have been taken in and given the best positions. Thus far, my brethren, Satan would have us read, but no further, in order that, Belshazzar-like,419we might fail to glorify him in whose hand our very breath is. But let us not give Satan the advantage on this point by not reading the whole story. Rather let us read and read again, and study that next verse: “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine;” and let our joy and merrymaking consist, as brought out in verse 32, in rejoicing over the finding of the lost, and the bringing to life of the dead. Yet, some one says, after all, it is true that we have not much pleasure in this life. And I answer, If any one can sympathize with such, it is the writer. But I am also happy to be able to point out to you the remedy. As before intimated, Satan causes us to look on only one side of the subject; and as long as we allow him to do this, he gains the day. The following texts, if carefully studied, will be of great help: Heb. 2:10; 11:35, last clause; Isaiah 53; Acts 14:22; etc., etc.