Day 5: The Older Brother's Hidden Hurt

The younger son is home, but then we meet the older brother. He stayed. He worked. He did what he was supposed to do. But when he hears the younger brother is home, he gets angry and refuses to go inside. If you aren't the one that messed up, it's easy to become the one that's mad at the one that messed up. Jesus is pointing out that everyone is a sinner — whether it's public and everyone knows, or private in your bitter heart. Notice the older brother does not even say 'My brother.' He says 'This son of yours.' Anger is usually a symptom of something boiling beneath the surface — usually hurt. When we are hurt, we can reduce someone to the worst thing they did. Ask the Lord today what may be boiling beneath your anger.