The Prodigal Son
Finally, The Right Choice.
The prodigal Son
Luke 15:11-32 The prodigal son or the lost son.
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “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. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17” When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him 21 ”The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “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. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 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. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 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.”
There are several lessons in this single parable. Let us look at the teaching at the end of the parable about the older brother who was angry with his father's treatment of his younger brother. (verses 25-32)
These verses tell us how an older Christian should not treat or think of a new Christian or a returning Christian.
The older Christians should celebrate with the younger brother. There should be acceptance no matter what the other one had done when there was repentance.
Now the younger brother illustrates how a son should show his respect for his earthly father by repentance and returning–not expecting anything more than to be treated as a slave for his father.
The father is an example for us as earthly fathers when one of our children would do as this younger son did. When a son or daughter does something, as did the younger son, he/she should truly repent putting themselves in a submissive position towards their father. The father should receive his child back even though many earthly fathers may fail in doing their part, showing forgiveness and acceptance.
When we look at the spiritual meaning of this parable, it gives a different picture.
God allows each person to make choices in life and their lifestyle. Their choice may not be pleasing to God, but he still lets them choose it. Also, it shows that God does not force anyone to change their choice. That is also up to each individual to make their own choice. What it does show is that God is always ready to take anyone back who has a pertinent heart. God did this to the Jewish nations in the Old Testament time after time.
We can see there is belief when "he came to his senses." Repenting did not save him when he believed. But he yielded himself to do whatever his father might ask a slave to do. He agreed to obey whatever he was commanded to do. There was repentance and confession. "I have sinned against heaven and against you." He showed his willing submission to do whatever he was told to do. “Make me like one of your hired servants.”
Something does not reunite him with his father yet. Look what now takes place. He has to get clean. The father shows he forgave him by putting "the best robe on him." This is the robe of righteousness received by being baptized for the forgiveness of sin.
Meanwhile, the father also gave him a “ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.” These gifts represent the Holy Spirit. The ring represents the family he is now associated with, just as the Holy Spirit expresses the new family we are associated with (the family of God). The shoes represent the new life he is to walk in on the narrow road.
So this parable represents the whole of being converted to God by faith and obedience.
The older son must repent of his anger and evil thoughts toward the father and brother. If he doesn’t repent, his unforgiving ways will finally judge him as unworthy of the eternal kingdom for not loving and not forgiving his brother who offended him.
Written about 11/4/2020
Larry E. Whittington