The Prodigal Son: A Story of Redemption and Grace
The Prodigal Son is more than just a tale of a wayward child returning home. It's a story that speaks to the heart of human experience, touching on themes of repentance, grace, and the boundless love of a father. In a world where second chances are often hard to come by, the parable of the Prodigal Son offers a timeless lesson on forgiveness and unconditional love.
The Prodigal Son is the third of three parables that Jesus taught that day. He was once again eating with the “tax collectors and sinners,” with the Pharisees and teachers of the law looking on as Jesus taught. At first glance, we assume Jesus’ audience is the people in front of Him. However, the actual audience is the onlookers, the Pharisees, and the teachers of the law.
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
Luke 15:11-12 (NIV)
The Younger Son's Journey
The story begins with a young man who demands his share of the inheritance. This young man had an older brother. During this time period, the oldest son was entitled to a double share of the inheritance. So, the younger son, at best, was going to walk away with one-third of the inheritance. We are not told how much the inheritance was, but the father was seemingly wealthy. We know this by the mention of land, livestock, and servants.
An inheritance being given early was not entirely unheard of, but that was usually in cases where the father could not carry out the duties of his business. As far as we can tell, the father was still able-bodied. So, the younger son asking for his inheritance is, at best, disrespectful under the circumstances. However, the father does as his son wishes and gives him his share.
At some point, the younger son gathers his things and sets out for parts unknown. He already had in mind what he was going to do with his share of the money. He did not want his father to witness what was about to happen with his money. Again, we are not told how long it took the son to work his way through the money, but he squandered it all. Then he was left with no money in a foreign country. Things went from bad to worse when a famine hit the country he was living in. The son hired himself out to a pig farmer, and his job was to feed the pigs. I want us to see the significance of how far he had fallen. The son was Jewish, and pigs were unclean animals. Jews were not even supposed to touch unclean animals; much less be in a pen feeding them.
The young man finally comes to his senses when he catches himself longing for the food that he was feeding to the pigs. He realizes that even his father’s servants live better than he did. He practices a speech and heads out for home, hoping to hire out as a servant to his father.
Point to Consider
The father unquestioningly gives the son his portion of the inheritance. How many times has your Heavenly Father given things to you that were probably not in your best interest? He did it simply because you asked. He knew what was going to happen, but we have that choice with our Father. He is not going to force you to stay with Him. Revelation 3:20 tells us, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” He is awaiting our invitation.
Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
Luke 15:13-16 (NIV)
A Father's Unconditional Love
As the son approaches, his father sees him from afar and runs to embrace him. The father's reaction is a powerful symbol of God's grace. Despite the son's transgressions, the father welcomes him back with open arms, celebrating his return with a feast. The father did not even let the son get out the speech that he had spent time crafting and practicing. This act of forgiveness is a reminder that no matter how far we stray, we are never beyond the reach of divine love.
The father once again does not have any questions for the son. He gave him the inheritance without question, and now he was welcoming him back without question. Imagine the shock the son experienced. He had hoped to serve, but he was elevated right back to a position of prominence. How many earthly fathers would be that understanding?
The father is just overjoyed to have his son back. The son was dead, as far as his father knew, and now here he was, in the flesh—alive and breathing. To the father, this called for a celebration.
Point to Consider
What do you think our Father’s reaction is when we repent and come back to him? Jesus tells us in Luke 15:10, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Scripture provides the answer.
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:22-24 (NIV)
The Older Brother's Resentment
The parable also addresses the older brother's anger and sense of injustice. Here are the nuts and bolts of the parable. The Father has unbounded love for us. What is our reaction to our brothers and sisters who may have fallen away? Are we as gracious as God?
Oftentimes, that answer is no—an emphatic no, at that. We think that here, we have been serving, and this person shows up and is accepted with open arms? Nope, we say, that person should have to earn it! That is what is so glorious about our God. None of us deserves His grace and mercy. Yet He gives it without question. Isn’t that great!
The brother is angry because he has spent years “slaving and obeying,” yet he has gotten nothing for his trouble. Should that be our attitude? Absolutely not. It is, or should be, a joy to serve the Lord. We should rejoice at the prospect of anyone getting to join us in His kingdom. Everything you, or I, have is His. We don’t own anything. So, do not be resentful if someone who hasn’t served as long as you, or you feel that you have done more for the kingdom than they have, gets to be with the Lord. You are a broken sinner, too.
Point to Consider
Have you ever felt like this toward someone who wanted to repent and come home? How would you react if it had been done to you?
The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Luke 15:28-30 (NIV)
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Luke 15:31-32 (NIV)
Key Takeaways
God is patient and ready to welcome us back, extending to all, no matter our past.
We should be joyful in seeing sinners return to the fold.
The importance of celebrating redemption, even when it challenges our sense of fairness.
The father's response to the older brother is a call to rejoice in the redemption of others, reminding us that grace is not a limited resource.
Conclusion
The Prodigal Son is a story that invites us to reflect on our own lives and relationships. It's a call to embrace forgiveness, to celebrate the return of those who have lost their way, and to understand that love and grace are always within reach. This parable is not just a story from the past but a living message of hope and redemption.
