Out in the field, diligently supervising his father’s business, is the older son. He does not witness his brother’s return. But as he comes home at the end of the day, he hears the music coming from the house and questions one of the servants.

The servant reports, “Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf” (Luke 15:27). They are having a party! But the older brother bristles with resentment and anger and refuses to attend (v. 28). He even refuses to call his younger brother a brother. In speaking with his father, he refers to his brother as “this son of yours” (v. 30). I remember reading somewhere that once you meet the older son, it is easier to understand why the younger son wanted to leave home. For all his good works, he doesn’t come across as someone we’d enjoy knowing.

It’s easy to think this older boy was treated unfairly. I used to think that myself—that the older brother was angry because the younger brother got his inheritance, and he didn’t get his. But go back to verse 12, and you will see that the father divided his inheritance to both sons. So the older brother was the owner of two-thirds of his father’s substance. No wonder his father said, “All that I have is yours” (Luke 15:31). It really was!

In verse 29 the older son reveals his heart with these words: “Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time.” You can almost see the fire in his eyes and hear the indignation in his voice as he compares his perfect behavior to the irresponsibility of his brother. “Dad, I’ve been a perfect son. I’ve done everything you’ve told me to do.” With every bitter word he reveals what a proud, self-righteous man he is.

It is now we realize that there are two lost sons, and only one has been found. All along, the older brother was as lost as the younger! As the younger son returns home from the far country of rebellion and licentiousness, the older son remains in the far country of smug self-satisfaction and resentment. Jesus said that the older brother would not even go into the house to join in the celebration.