I agree with u about the lack of teaching on elder brother. I think the teaching mostly about him is with totaly and utterly disguest I too can identify with elder brother. I think great point is that Jesus was addressing differnent groups, and they all need to know the father better I am glad that the issue with elder brother was brought up. i feel a release in my heart and spirit that someone else feel like they are the prodigal son\'s elder brother. God is revealing to the Pharissee(church folks) the Elder Brother The righteous folks, the \"Good People\" Who work and mission for God, sing on the Choir, Leaders,Missionary, etc. That your righteous is as filty rag, no not one is good, a man ways my seem right in his eyes but in the end lead to destruction. I beleive he was sending a flashing sign WARNING!! WARNING!!! TURN RIGHT. WRONG DIRECTION God children, cant earn there place by work, we are justified As James says Faith without works is dead....Show me your faith by your works... but dont get it confuse or twisted or preverted that your Works prove you have faith but instead your faith shows by you working, and not you working shows you faith. Faith, love are first...... YEILD SLOW DOWN DANGER HEAD ELDER BROTHER WORK HARD, AND FAITHFUL THERE PHYSICAL BUT NOT THERE WITH ALL HIS HEART OR FAITH WHEN THE YOUNG BROTHER LEAVE HOME, THE ELDER BROTHER LEFT TO NOT PHYSICAL BUt SPIRITUALLY IN HIS HEART HE DESIRE TO HAVE FUN.. DO THINGS OF THE WORLD HE DOUBT HIS FATHER LOVE, HIS FATHER RULES. LAWS, HE DOUBTED AND QUESTION HIS FATHER IN HIS HEART. Out of the ABUNDANCE of the HEART the MOUTH SPEAKETH. Guard your HEART b/c OUT of IT COMES the ISSUE of LIFE When the elder brother says(paraphrase- what i think he really say) What is going on. My work has been in vain, i did all these things to please my father so i could get Pleased. so i could have Joy.... I did not do,keep his commandments work b/c i love him with all my heart, yeah i do love him, but i love myself more(ABUNDANCE) THERE IS THE ISSUE BEING EXPOSE OR REVEAL..... THE BABY BROTHER YOUNG AND WILD REBILLOUS SIN COULD EASILY BE SEEN AND DETECTED BUT THE SIN HIDDEN IN ELDER BROTHER HEART HAD TO BE REVEAL IN HIS WORDS....HOW CAN U SAY U LOVE GOD YOUR FATHER AND YET HATE YOUR BROTHER WHO YOU SEE EVERYDAY... YOU ARE LIAR.... God has been dealing with me on this issue with other parables, such foolish virgins, the rich young ruler...God wants you and me to not be decived in thinking we are better or higher than others, we all are works in process, we must be forgiving and not like the man who was forgiven for his great debt, but would not forgive his brother for the same thing owing a debt he could not pay.. They are brothers, we are brothers and sister why b/c we all have something in common. Both brothers commit the same crime or broke the law of: Love God with ALL your HEART, MIND and Soul so in God the Father eyesight they both need to repent, turn themselves in for their crimes God, the Father shows his mercy on the son who was outwardly rebillious should be an encouragement not resentment to us who are inwardly rebillious, that God accepts both of his kids, no matter what, he wants and desire to bless them, love them, and have a relationship with them he wants both of them to come to him with their emotions there feelings desire, tell him how they really feel..... he told the elder brother all this things he was having a ISSUE ABOUT NOT HAVING THIS AND THAT HE COULD HAVE HAD, YOU HAVE NOT B/C YOU ASK NOT.....GOD IS REWARDER TO THOSE WHO LOOK FOR HIM HE IS NEAR....SPEAK TO HIM