This story is often titled “Parable of the Prodigal son”. When we titled it this way, we missed out extremely important lessons that Jesus is telling us to learn through the elder son.

This parable tells us about the unconditional love of God. Our heavenly Father loves us even when we make mistakes. Our heavenly Father’s desire is for sinners to be saved and everyday He is waiting for sinners to repent.

There is also an extremely important truth in this story. That is, as a result of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us and His finished work (John 19:30), we are forever forgiven of all our sins (Colossians 1:22) and the Holy Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11), lives in us forever (John 14:16). We are in Christ (Galatians 2:20, John 15:4) and because all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18), we are also given authority and power (John 20:23, Luke 9:1, Matthew 10:1). Jesus promised that we can ask anything in His name and it will be done for us (John 14:14, John 15:7,16 John 16:23-24). The incredible greatness of God’s power is for us who believe (Ephesians 1:19-23, John 15:10).

When we can understand that just as the elder son in the parable has everything that the father has, we as believers have been blessed with every spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). We can do the same works and even greater works as Christ had done because Christ is with our heavenly Father (John 14:12). When we focus on this truth, it will set us free from jealousy and unforgiveness.