The younger son — obviously self-centered, obviously gone, obviously lost, obviously ruined, obviously not after his father’s heart.

But he came back, in humility and repentance.

And his father received him — joyously, openly, enthusiastically.

But the older son . . . .

“And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him” (28).

The elder son — too much like his younger brother, just not quite as obviously.

And the father wanted him as well.

Both of those boys needed to learn from their Dad: how to have a heart.

Oh, let me not be a self-pitying grump nor a self-righteous crank when someone else chooses the Father!

I know that sounds odd, but the elder brother’s attitude isn’t so contrary to human nature.

Let me have a heart, just like the Father.

from Luke 15:27

A little bit more from Luke 15: The Inheritance of the Faithful