Don’t Spoil the Story

Let me describe a scene, and you tell me if you’ve ever experienced anything like this before. There’s a book, movie, or TV show with a thrilling plot that you are engrossed in. Someone who has already finished it begins talking to you about it and divulges a plot twist or story arc that you haven’t reached yet. There’s an overwhelming disappointment as the story has been spoiled.

In the second half of the story of the prodigal son, we don’t see a plot twist being told early, but because of the pride and jealousy of a brother, a damper is put on a celebration.

The story begins with one brother who takes his inheritance early and uses it to sow his wild oats. He finds that the thrills of the world are short-lived. Finally, he musters up the courage to return home to his father and is met with an incredible welcome.

The other brother comes in from a day of work, and as he approaches the family home, he’s surprised to find a party. He asks one of the servants what is going on, only to find out that this brother of his, who was as good as dead to him, has come home, and his father is celebrating his return!

This is heartbreaking! Here, the brother has the opportunity to celebrate the return of the prodigal, but instead, he becomes angry with his father. He allows his jealousy and pride to keep him from joining in this victorious moment.

So, too, do we miss the moment when we forgo the honor of celebrating others in their return to God. We are called to always welcome others to Jesus, no matter what. We need to be careful not to be like this brother who spoiled the story, but instead, be purposeful in our desire to see others joined into the family of God.

This brother’s first mistake was that he was focused on himself. He was upset that he had worked for his father while his brother had wasted his wealth. He had never been given this type of welcome or honor.

His jealousy and pride held him back in this moment. He was robbed of his joy because he was focused on himself, just as we are when we miss out on moments to celebrate what God is doing in the lives of others. Think about it: Who is the person you’d scoff at if they told you they were giving their life to Jesus? Who is the person that if they attended our church, you’d think to yourself, “I don’t know if we want people like that here.” Who are the people we never offer to pray for or share the Gospel with because we “already know what they’d say”?

Don’t allow your pride to fuel negativity. Let us always be celebrating what God is doing in others' lives. Let us never stop inviting people to be a part of what God is doing.

This brother missed the moment! He focused on himself, and in doing so, he ended up forgetting his inheritance. He was so focused on the moment that he neglected to consider all that his father would give him.

Just because his father loved his brother didn’t mean that his father didn’t love him. The same is true for us: just because God loves someone else doesn’t mean He loves us less. God’s grace is unlimited, His goodness is endless, and His love has no boundaries. We spoil the story of what God is doing in others when we start judging and forget our identity in Christ.

Ultimately, it was not the prodigal son but his brother who missed out in this moment. He missed an opportunity to celebrate and rejoice. Let this not be us. Let us always be excited, rejoicing, and celebrating each step home in the lives of those around us!