From Adam S. Miller’s book ‘Original Grace’:
Unlike his younger brother, the older son was obedient to his father. “Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment,” he reminds his father (Luke 29:15). But when he learns that his younger brother has returned and been reclaimed, “he was angry, and would not go in” (Luke 15:28).
The father greets the wayward son with compassion. The obedient son greets his wayward brother with anger. As far as the obedient son is concerned, his brother isn’t worthy of being reclaimed. His brother doesn’t deserve his father’s compassion.
Despite the differences between these two sons—one obedient, one prodigal—both sons think in lockstep. They see the world the same way. Their logic is identical. Both sons wrongly think their relationship with the father is about what they deserve. The only difference is that they reached opposite conclusions about what that is. The older son thinks he deserves what’s good. The younger son thinks he deserves what’s evil. The older son thinks he should be rewarded with love. The younger son thinks he should be punished with suffering. Despite his obedience to the law, the older son still doesn’t know what the law is for. He hasn’t seen the kingdom of God any more than his disobedient brother has. He doesn’t yet have eyes to see or ears to hear.
Though the obedient son is angry, the father doesn’t become angry in return. Rather he responds again with compassion. He reassures the obedient son of his love. “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine” (Luke 15:31).
But, following this assurance, the father explains again the deeper logic that drives his responses to both sons. “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:32). It was “meet,” or edei, the father says. That is, it was “right”— or “necessary” or “needed” or even compelled by law”— that we should make merry and be glad because your brother is alive again and found.
The father acknowledges all the good the elder son has done and promises good in return. And, too, the father acknowledges all the evil the younger son has done—and still promises good in return. This is the logic of justice. This is the logic of what is right or necessary or needed: good for good, and good for evil. ~ Adam S. Miller, Original Grace (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2022), 45-47
