Parable of the Prodigal Son

“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.’ 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. (Luke 15:20-24. NKJV). [Read Luke 15:11-32]

We are very familiar with the parable of the prodigal son. In fact, most of us could tell it from beginning to end for we have heard it since we were children. It may be one of the most-preached, most-taught parables Jesus gave us. Its theme is restoration of a son who lost his way but returned to his own country and to his father. I like to examine the three major characters in this parable. First, of course is the Prodigal Son who asked for his inheritance early, went forth choosing his own way and soon wasted his resources on riotous living. Down in the pig sty, the only despicable work he could find, he remembered that his father’s servants had a better life than he was then experiencing. In repentance he returned to his own country and his father’s house, willing to be a servant upon his return. Then we see the Waiting Father. All the time the son was away, he worried about his welfare, looked down the road hoping to see him returning home. One day, he was rewarded, for coming toward him was a disheveled wayfarer whom he recognized as his lost son. He went to meet him, to embrace and forgive him, to put new clothes and the signet ring on him, and to order a feast so they could celebrate his homecoming. Then enters the third character, the Jealous Brother. Self-righteous and maybe even rightly reminding his father that he had remained at home working dutifully, he nevertheless had to learn a lesson. “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 15:31-32, NKJV).

This parable represents in the prodigal son the sinner’s turning, repentance and going to the father. The father, of course, who waits for all of His children is God himself who never gives up his tireless watch for us. And the jealous brother who gets a self-righteous attitude is the one who does not leave the fold and often has too much to say about those who return and repent. I’m sure we’ve seen these three characters manifested in people within our own churches. The father’s response to the son both before he left and after his return is typical of the grace God extends to all. Yes, the prodigal sinned against himself and his father. He had to come to his senses before he could be restored. The brother had to learn the reason for his father’s rejoicing. Being a member of the family of God—not possessions—is the vital relationship.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Wednesday, September 5, 2010