3. His love —
[The love shewn by him to the returning Prodigal excites our admiration ; but that was no less which was manifested to his ungracious brother : the solicitude expressed was not at all inferior to the joy. And is he not shewing to us also the same parental tenderness? Is he not as unwilling to give us up to our own delusions ? Yes, his language to us is precisely that which he used to Israel of oldg — ]
Surely then this subject may teach us,
1. The evil and danger of self-righteousness —
[Self-righteousness is a more complicated evil than is generally imagined. It not unfrequently is accompanied with pride, envy, discontent, and a thousand other evil tempers reigning in the bosom ; and it always involves in it a high con- ceit of ourselves, a supercilious contempt of others, and a
f This gives the proper clew to the difficulties in ver. 31. The Pharisees had access to God at all times ; and all the privileges they could desire were enjoyed by them (see Rom. ix. 4.) so that, whatever favour might be shewn to others, they could lose nothing, nor could have any reason to complain.
s Hos. xi. 8.
rooted aversion to the Gospel method of salvation11: moreover, if persevered in, it will infallibly leave us self-excluded from the kingdom of heaven. Let us pause then, and solemnly exa- mine whether we be not under its dominion ? Let us inquire whether we more resemble this elder brother or the repenting Prodigal ? and, instead of justifying ourselves before God, let us thankfully accept his preferred mercy.]
2. The blessedness of true penitents —
[While the elder brother was agitated with evil tempers, the Prodigal was filled with peace : and while the elder brother was self-excluded from the scenes of bliss, the Prodigal had "meat to eat which the world knows not of," and "joy with which the stranger intermeddleth not." Such is the harvest which all shall reap who sow in tears. Who that compares the state of the two brothers would not prefer that of the peni- tent, even in this life ? And how much more will its superiority appear, when the happiness of admission to the Father's house, and the misery of exclusion from it, will be consummated ! Let us then, if we determine (as we must) in favour of the Prodigal, go instantly, and prostrate ourselves before our offended God.]
h Luke xviii. 11.