The late Noel Patton is well known for his exotic paintings of flowers, birds and children at play. Curiously, in a corner of each of his paintings he would include some unsettling and incongruous object, such as a snake or some other reptilian type creature. In the prodigal story narrated by Luke, Jesus likewise paints a picture of great beauty that is suddenly disturbed by the introduction of the grotesque elder brother. There is nothing more grotesque than a Christian looking on others with judgement and no grace or understanding. In this magnificent story we see the loving reconciliation between the father and the younger son. Then in a mean corner of the Lukan painting we see the grotesque face of the elder son as he is watching on like the gigantic blue eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg brooding out over the valley of ashes in F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby..

In this great parable, Jesus is telling us that there are really two potential prodigals in all of us. (And there is the hope within us of the third character too). There is the sin of the younger son and his sin is plain for all to see. Then there is the sin of the elder brother. His sins are the sins of religious people; the more hidden, subtle and unforgiving sins. His sins are grotesque because he sees himself without sin. He stares out at others with brooding blue eyes that do not look inward. These are such destructive traits in families and churches. There can sometimes be more elder brothers than younger ones in churches.

Blessings in Jesus’ name,

KIM THODAY HEWETT COMMUNITY CHURCH OF CHRIST, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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