In today's post I want to turn your attention to the parable of the Prodigal son. Although these two chapters contain other parables, I want to focus on this one only so as to keep the post as short and concise as possible.
Before we delve into the parable itself, it is imperative that we study the context in which it was told by Jesus. Not knowing the context fully, will keep us from grasping the finer details of this parable.
In the beginning of Luke 15, we see that the Pharisees had gathered around Jesus and that they were apparently disgusted that Jesus was receiving and eating with sinners. Understanding their thoughts, Jesus comes up with three parables each representing a "Seeking and Saving God" who rejoices at the sight of a repenting sinner. The parable of the prodigal son is the third in this series of parables. If you have never read this parable before, I urge you to read it at this point before going any further.
Let us look at the fine details of this parable:
The Son asking for his inheritance
The son's request was tantamount to saying that he wished his father were dead. No one gets an inheritance when his father is already alive. To ask for such a thing would be a disgrace and most fathers would have disowned the son at that very instant. This shows that the son had some idea of the gracious nature of his father and was ready to misuse it. This represents the sinner using the grace and long suffering nature of God to indulge in sin.
Going away to a far away country
Obviously Jesus added this detail to the parable to show how much the son wanted to be as far away as possible from his father. This portrays the sinner's desire to be left alone in the temporary bliss of sin.
When he came to himself
An utterly sinful lifestyle can sometimes leave a person flat on his back at rock bottom with no other option but to return to God, that is if he has a previous knowledge of the Father. If the sinner doesn't have a previous knowledge of God, this state would lead him to further dismay until someone shines the gospel into his heart. This is why the preaching of the true gospel is crucial.
The Running Father
The Father who has no doubt been waiting and looking for his son's return embraces the son not even allowing him to finish his rehearsed speech of repentance. He sees his son, he knows his heart and that is enough. No magical words are necessary. What is lost has been found, the father knows it, the son knows it and everyone else knows it except the older son.
The Older son
The villain of the whole story, the older son represents the Pharisees of Jesus' day and the self righteous religious person of today. They hang around seemingly in the presence of God, but their hearts are far from him. This is evident from the fact that the older brother refused to share his father's joy. What an apt description of the legalistic, holier than thou attitude so many in the "church" have.
Before we delve into the parable itself, it is imperative that we study the context in which it was told by Jesus. Not knowing the context fully, will keep us from grasping the finer details of this parable.
In the beginning of Luke 15, we see that the Pharisees had gathered around Jesus and that they were apparently disgusted that Jesus was receiving and eating with sinners. Understanding their thoughts, Jesus comes up with three parables each representing a "Seeking and Saving God" who rejoices at the sight of a repenting sinner. The parable of the prodigal son is the third in this series of parables. If you have never read this parable before, I urge you to read it at this point before going any further.
Let us look at the fine details of this parable:
The Son asking for his inheritance
The son's request was tantamount to saying that he wished his father were dead. No one gets an inheritance when his father is already alive. To ask for such a thing would be a disgrace and most fathers would have disowned the son at that very instant. This shows that the son had some idea of the gracious nature of his father and was ready to misuse it. This represents the sinner using the grace and long suffering nature of God to indulge in sin.
Going away to a far away country
Obviously Jesus added this detail to the parable to show how much the son wanted to be as far away as possible from his father. This portrays the sinner's desire to be left alone in the temporary bliss of sin.
When he came to himself
An utterly sinful lifestyle can sometimes leave a person flat on his back at rock bottom with no other option but to return to God, that is if he has a previous knowledge of the Father. If the sinner doesn't have a previous knowledge of God, this state would lead him to further dismay until someone shines the gospel into his heart. This is why the preaching of the true gospel is crucial.
The Running Father
The Father who has no doubt been waiting and looking for his son's return embraces the son not even allowing him to finish his rehearsed speech of repentance. He sees his son, he knows his heart and that is enough. No magical words are necessary. What is lost has been found, the father knows it, the son knows it and everyone else knows it except the older son.
The Older son
The villain of the whole story, the older son represents the Pharisees of Jesus' day and the self righteous religious person of today. They hang around seemingly in the presence of God, but their hearts are far from him. This is evident from the fact that the older brother refused to share his father's joy. What an apt description of the legalistic, holier than thou attitude so many in the "church" have.
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