This session we get to visit one of the most known parables of Jesus. It is part of the “Lost” sessions of the Bible, and is surprisingly only found in the book of Luke. The others are the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Parable of the Lost Coin and the conclusion with the longest dialog with the Parable of the Lost Son, also known as the Prodigal Son.

Parable of the Lost Son
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.[b]’

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” – Luke 15:11-32 NLT

The scholars have indicated that the parable is used to illustrate the character of God via the father, but many times one can relate to one or both of the sons. Even to the point, a frame of mind can take a person from one character to the next.

Today, which character resonated with you and why?

The narrative situation is that property could be disposed of either by a will or by a gift during one’s lifetime. The younger son demanded immediately the full rights of possession over his portion (about one third) of his father’s estate which he could expect to inherit when the father died. The elder son remained at home and the father retained his rights over the produce of his portion of the estate. The younger son, however, turned his share into cash and departed to enjoy the proceeds away from home and parental control. Extravagance and dissolute living reduced him to utter poverty, and the friends who had helped to spend the money disappeared. He could find only the most lowly and unpleasant employment possible, especially for a Jew to whom pigs were unclean animals. He would gladly have supplemented his miserable wages by sharing the carob pods which the pigs ate, but (it is implied) he was too disgusted to do so. His desperate state brought him to repentance. He realized not only that he had made a mess of his life but also that he was unworthy to be called his father’s son; he was fit only to be a servant, and he was prepared to humble himself and seek reentry to the home at that level.

Do you have an example of when you were in relationship with the Father, but through your own will, went away? Describe the challenges of “turning” and humbling yourself to reunite.

After the son returned,  the older brother, refused to join in the celebration and grumbled at the lavish welcome. He accused his father of failing to treat him in the same free and joyous manner, only to be reminded that all the resources of the home were his. This can illustrate that one can be lost even at home.  This can be a reminder that we can still be going to church, still serving in ministry, but still be lost in our walk.

Can you recall a time when you were still plugged in to the church and God, but felt as though you were on the outside looking in?

The older brother’s focus was on himself, and as a result there is no joy in his brother’s arrival home. He is so consumed with issues of justice and equity that he fails to see the value of his brother’s repentance and return.

The parable does not even let us know if the older brother ever did join in the celebration. It appears to be deliberate and intended to stir some uncertainty.  The older brother represents the pharisees in the day. How they were in the church, but still not in good relationship with the Father.  It is the choice of both sons to make the decision to make things right. God does not force anyone to come to Him, but He is always willing and waiting.

In this parable it needs to be noted that unlike the two previous parables of the lost, the Father does not go out searching for his lost son.  In our world today, the Gospel is free and available but the people have to be willing to receive and take action. We are reminded from the book of Matthew when Jesus predicted his death…

24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?  – Matthew 16:24-26 NLT

It will take effort to have relationships, and that is no different with Jesus. He is available and willing, but we have to do our part.  This week, challenge yourself decisions, have a clear mind with your motivations.  When engaging with others, remind yourself of the attitude and behavior of the older son. Rejoice, encourage and celebrate when someone improves their relationship with God.

 Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Lk 15:11–32). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

 Marshall, I. H. (1994). Luke. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 1005). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.