A Fresh Look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son
Share
You’ve heard this story a million times, or maybe this is a first for you? In the days of Jesus walking the earth, He strategically and brilliantly utilized parables (or example stories) to teach life lessons. As a visual learner, I always enjoyed having something a little more picturesque while being taught a new concept growing up.
Jesus is the perfect teacher; imagine being together with Him hearing and visualizing the parables in an outdoor, tangible setting? Imagine the kindness and strength in His presentation and the vocal intonations at just the exact moments. No, we are not physically at the place where this parable was being taught today, but as we ponder what it would be like to have heard this from Jesus, let’s take a fresh look on the parable of the prodigal son.
Who Was the Audience?
It is easy to read Scripture thinking about ourselves alone, but who was Jesus’ audience? Luke 15:1-2 reveals a unique group. It says that tax collectors and sinners were approaching, as well as pharisees and scribes were complaining.
Jesus had an audience of believers in God and unbelievers. This was the prime, opportune moment to share the parable of the prodigal son. The older brother could easily represent the pharisees and scribes and the young brother connected with the tax collectors and sinners.
You can find the entirety of the parable by reading Luke 15:11-32.
Both Brothers Received Their Inheritance Early
Something that I have often passed by is that both brothers received their inheritance early. Luke 15:12 says, “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them.” This means that both were given their portions. This means that as the younger went and blew through his share, the elder stayed back and was faithful working for his father.
We can think about how it bothered the older brother when the younger brother came back because he had likely been faithful in his loyalty to his father and the estate. However his heart was hardened and the father needed to teach him a valuable lesson.
The Older Son Likely Received a Double Portion
In this day and age, the older of the two sons would have been the one who inherited more. According to the Jewish Inheritance Law found in Deuteronomy 21:17, the first born son would be entitled to a double portion of the inheritance. So if the father had 9 sheep then the younger son would receive 3 and the elder would receive 6.
In pondering this, the younger son wanted his share of inheritance right then and fled with his money. However, when he returned and we read of the father’s merciful welcome, the older brother is less than appreciative or excited that his father has treated his younger brother so well with a robe, ring, sandals, and the fattened calf. It says in Luke 15:29-30 “But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’”
The older son who likely had a double portion of the inheritance was furious that his father would show mercy to his younger rebellious brother and give him honor and blessing when returning home. He said he slaved for years, had been obedient, never gotten a goat to celebrate with his friends, but then his younger brother (who he cheekily calls “this son of yours”) came after using their father’s assets for prostitutes was provided with the best. He was furious. He felt like he had “done so many works” for his father and was not treated with the same dignity.
Who in your life do you think, (but maybe would never say) does not deserve the forgiveness of Christ? Who do you believe is too filthy, too far gone, too out of reach to return and be blessed with heaven one day? It hurts to think about how prideful we also are within our hearts. Is it that evil boss? That transgender person? That prison convict? That relative? The father’s response is gentle and honest. He says in Luke 15:31-32 “‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Even in the midst of the older brothers sin, the father still calls him son and invites him to celebrate the lost brother coming home. He invites the older brother to the party to celebrate this good thing. Jesus was inviting these Pharisees and scribes to celebrate. They were his chosen people, yet many were refusing to love and welcome others into the family of God out of pride. We too can view ourselves in haughty ways. We can focus on what the Lord is blessing others with who are undeserving, and forget how He has given us a double portion already in Him to be grateful for where He rescued us from as well.
The Younger Son Had to Make a Choice to Return
This is a difficult thought. Many of us have loved ones who refuse to accept Jesus or who are living in rebellion after a salvation decision years ago. It can be worrisome and we can easily desire to force or manipulate them back to God. However, the father does not do this. He allows the son to go rebel, spend his money, and live with the pigs. His love for his son never stopped, I’m sure his prayers never ceased, however the younger son had to make a turning point decision to return home to his father in repentance. Luke 15:20 says, “So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.”
The prodigal son got up and went to his father. There is always a first step back to the Father. What is beautiful though is the father didn’t wait for the son to get to him, he did not treat him lesser than before, he ran to him while the younger son was still a long way off. A grown man does not often run, this was actually shameful in the Jewish culture. This reveals that the father was not just unashamed to welcome his son back, but everything in him was aching and overjoyed to go get him and bring him back. The father bore the shame to welcome the prodigal son.
Maybe you feel like you have messed up one too many times, like He will not welcome you back? Perhaps you have not talked with God in years? The response of this father is the response of God the Father, the moment you call on His name, the second you turn back to Him to tell him you are sorry and want to change, He is running towards you, not away from you, not out of the mess, but into the thick of it all with you to show compassion and love in the brokenness and bring you to a place of renewed purity, clothed in His best, and provided for in the best ways. He never left you, He just patiently waited for you to return.
Now think back to the beginning of this setting, the tax collectors and sinners were approaching, as well as the Pharisees and scribes were complaining. Jesus was running towards those tax collectors and sinners and trying to relay the message that the pharisees and scribes had Him too. Jesus came for all who believed in Him and He still does. Let’s believe that for ourselves and for others.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/diego_cervo
