Faith & Christian Living

A Tale of Two Brothers

February 12, 2023

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells the parable of the Prodigal Son. The traditional interpretation is that there are two types of people - the wild and the responsible. But there’s so much more to this story than just that. Jesus was actually uncovering a fundamental truth about human nature in this parable.

We all have a part of us that’s impulsive, short-sighted, and driven by instant gratification - just like the Prodigal Son. But we all also have the personality of the Older Brother, who is calculated, rational, and judgmental. Both sides of human nature are united by a common thread of pathological self-centeredness.

But, there’s one constant in this story that shines through - the love of God. It’s this love that remains ever-present, no matter how far we stray or how much we judge ourselves and others.

← Back to writing