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The Parable of the Prodigal Son
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is arguably a favorite among all of Jesus’ parables. I think for me, the reason is because it is the most descriptive account of myself as a sinner, who miraculously received God’s restorative grace.
It was the free Gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Do you remember from last week’s parables Jesus told how God so loved lost sinners that He would go to any length to bring them to Himself, so much so that He sacrificed His own Son to give them grace.
God’s redeeming love is a rich treasure for everyone who believes in Him. Knowing His goodness and grace far exceeds the treasure of this world. That is exactly what the youngest son discovered in this parable.
Jesus tells the story perfectly.
Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So, he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
The younger son essentially told his father he wished he would die so that he could have his inheritance. The son did not value a righteous life with his father. Instead, he chose a corrupt life of sin that would lead to death. (Romans 6:16)
Deuteronomy 21:17 explains how a Hebrew father’s estate would be divided between two sons upon his death. But if the father were to give one of the son’s his inheritance before death, then he would have to give the remaining part of the estate to the other son. This detail is important to remember, because later in the parable the older son’s heart will be revealed.
Jesus continues with His story.
But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
Do you see where the depravity of the young man’s life has left him?
Hebrew law from the Old Testament states pork was considered unclean. They could not eat it or be directly exposed to pigs. (Leviticus 11:7-8)
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”
In God’s love for people, He does not force Himself upon us. God sees and knows the journey of every man. (Psalm 139: 11-12)
Those who remain their rebellion will be separated from Him forever. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
Those who will repent and receive Him will ultimately find their way home without condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Look at how our Divine Lord receives repentant sinners.
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.“
The Father knows us, just like the father in the parable recognized his wayward son as he approached in the distance. This father does not even wait for his dear one to clean himself from having lived among the swine.
In Hebrew culture, no matter how happy the father was to see his son coming, he would never have touched him in that condition. He certainly would never have run toward him. He would never have fallen in the dirt at his sinful son’s feet.
The lost son was restored.
The older son’s heart is revealed.
“Now his older son…heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’
“But he was angry and would not go in. …his father came out and pleaded with him…
So, he…said to his father ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’
Luke 15:11-32
God gave His only sinless Son to wear the putrid rags of sin for you and me. He welcomes us to have a right relationship with Him and to know the rich treasure found in His grace.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
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