I never realized a goat could cause such anger. While preparing a message for high-school students, I kept getting drawn back to the often-overlooked goat in the Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32), and its influence on the older son.
The CliffsNotes version of the parable is this: a man had two sons. The younger one demanded his share of the inheritance, and his father gave it to him. He left home and wasted all the money on wild living. When he humbly returns home, his father throws a party for him by killing the fattened calf because he is overjoyed that his son has returned.
The older son has dutifully stayed home, resents the celebration lavished on his younger brother, and refuses to attend the party. The older son angrily unloads on his father because he is throwing a party for someone who “squandered your property” (v. 30). In response, the father simply says, we’re celebrating because your brother was “lost and is found” (v. 32).
I think one reason why the older son is furious hinges on the verse where he tells his father, “you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends” (v. 29). At first glance, his statement makes it look like it’s the father’s fault because he never let him have any fun. However, the father did give the younger son his inheritance when he asked for it.
So maybe the older son was miserable because he never asked for that young goat to celebrate. He just kept going, doing what was expected of him, year after year, being the model first born son, expecting something joyous to just be given to him. Apparently, he never asked his father for a chance to celebrate and enjoy life.
That is the potential danger mature Christians face. We get so focused on doing and being good that our spiritual life becomes stale, mechanical and meaningless, with no spontaneity, purpose or joy. We’re doing “Christian things” because we have to, not because we want to. When our hearts aren’t in it because we are too focused on what we can get out of it, we become like the older son.
However, Jesus said, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24). If your life lacks joy, maybe all it takes is asking Him how you can glorify Him to unleash it.
In what area of your life do you need to ask God for joy?