INTRODUCTION
The Parable of the Prodigal son is the third in the series of three parables given by Jesus in response to comments of the Pharisees who wondered how Jesus would allow the tax collectors and sinners come near Him and even eat with them.
THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON
The word PRODIGAL means “spending money or using resources freely and recklessly.” It is being “wastefully extravagant.”
From the opening verse of this parable (Lk. 15:11), we can know that the story has to do with relationships: between a father and his sons, and between an older brother and a younger brother. It shows that God values relationship.
The major theme of this parable is not so much about the conversion of the sinner, as in the previous two parables of Luke 15 but rather the restoration of a believer into fellowship with the Father.
The Father Reference
The character of the forgiving father is a picture of God. In telling the story, Jesus identifies Himself with God in His loving attitude towards the lost.
The Younger Son Reference
The younger son, as illustrated in the parable, represents the tax collectors and sinners who came to hear Jesus (Lk. 15:1).
▪︎It is the picture of a believer who fell off into sin but later repented of his sins and returns into the waiting arms of a forgiving and loving God.
The Older Son Reference
The older brother represents the self-righteous Pharisees and the teachers of the law.
▪︎It is the picture of those who think they have earned their entitlement to the Father’s blessings by their works rather than by the grace and mercy of God.
LESSONS FROM THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON
For us to have a proper and comprehensive understanding of the lessons enbeded in this parable, we shall examine the attitudes and actions of each of the three chracters, starting with the younger son
The Younger Son
1.According to Jewish law, he is entitled to one-third of his father’s estate.
▪︎By implication, he has asked for what rightly belongs to him (Lk. 15:12). Look up Deut. 21:15-17.
Reflection: If the younger son is entitted to what he asked from his father, did he really do anything wrong in asking as he did? Support your answer with reasons.
2.He valued his father’s assets more than he valued his father.
▪︎Many Christians want the material benefits of sonship without the obligations and responsibilities of relationship.
▪︎They handle God like they handle sugar and salt in their homes.
▪︎Such Christians have lost focus. Look up Matt. 6:33; 2Cor. 4:18.
3.He was tired of living under someone else’s rules. He craved for freedom and independence.
▪︎Like the prodigal son, we all possess a foolish ambition to be independent. Consider Gen. 3:6; Rom. 1:28.
▪︎Many of us do not want to submit to God’s authority or follow His rules. We want to run our own lives our own way.
4.He thought he was missing out by remaining with his father.
▪︎Many see a life of dedication, commitment and devotion to God as being deprived of fun and enjoyment. They see such a life as boring. They prefer to “JAPA” to a better life in the world. But the world has nothing to offer than misery and destruction. Look up Prov. 14:12-14; 1:10; 1Jn. 2:15.
5.He gathered his things together and travelled to a distant country (Lk. 15:13).
He has made that journey in his heart. The physical departure is a display of his willful disobedience to all the gooondes his father had offered him. See Matt 6:21; 12:34b.
▪︎Every action or attitude is preceded by a thought (Prov. 23:7). Beware of your thoughts.
6.Did you notice that he monetised all his essets? “… gathered all together…” Lk.15:13a.
▪︎Money is a powerful tempter and the love of it (above God) leads to misery and destruction. See 1Tim. 6:9-10; Lk.16:13; Eccl 5:10.
7.He lavished all his inheritance on lushful living until he ran out of money and became broke (Lk.15:13).
▪︎When you separate yourself from God, you are bound to lose all His graces upon your life- Eph. 2:12. Compare Jn.15:4-6.
8.He subjected himself to slavery in the hands of a Gentile (Lk. 15:15). Feeding pigs is a detestable job to the Jewish people (Lev. 11:17).
▪︎When a man willfully rejects or abandons God’s grace, he has automatically makes himself a candidate of disgrace.
▪︎The prodigal son toiling in the piggery is a picture of the lost sinner or a rebellious Christian who has returned to a life of sin (2Pt. 2:19-22).
Reflection: Compare the situation the prodigal son found himself with his expectation when he was leaving home.
9.He came to himself (Lk. 15:17).
▪︎His painful circumstances helped him to see his father in a new light and hope begins to dawn in his heart.
▪︎His realization is reflective of the sinner’s discovery that apart from God, there is no hope. Check Ps.147:11; Is. 40:30-31; Eph 2:12.
▪︎The way of the sinner is an insane way (Ps. 14:1). When a sinner comes to his senses, repentance follows, along with a longing to return to fellowship with God.
10.He devised a plan of action that shows that his repentance was genuine (Lk.15:17-19).
▪︎He admitted that he was in a bad shape.
▪︎He recognized the cause of his problem which was his own sin.
▪︎He didn’t try to shift blame by blaming his friends, or the economy or bad luck.
▪︎Не асknоwеdgеd that he had no claim on his father as a son.
▪︎He determined to seek mercy and grace, not justice. Justice would keep him in the piggery but grace (undeserved favour, unmerited gooondes) would keep him in his father’s house and love.
▪︎Now, he is not coming with a heart of entitlement but with a heart of service.
Similarly, when we find ourselves distant fron God, we need to repent and do the needful:
▪︎We need to acknowledge our sin.
▪︎We need to confess our unworthiness.
▪︎We need to seek God’s mercy, grace and forgiveness.
▪︎We need to pledge a renewal of our loyalty, commitment, dedication, and devotion to serving Him.
▪︎The good news is that when we do this, He is certain to recieve us. Check 1Jn. 1:9. Compare Jn. 6:37.
The prodigal son did not have just a wishful thinking. He acted upon his decision immediately (Lk. 15:20a).
▪︎ Procrastination is a terrible enemy of a blessed return to God.
Closing Charge
Have you also “japa” from the Lord and His love? Have you found yourself in a terrible and disgraceful situation as a result of being distant from the Lord? Maybe you have even made some wrong choices in the past and the consequences have become like a hunting shadow to you today. You can borrow a leaf from the action of the prodigal son by acknowledging your sins, repent of them and start afresh with the loving and waiting Lord, as we sing this hymn of prayer and commitment, YBH 222 (Bi Mo Ti Ri-Laisawawi).
A well thought out teaching God bless & enrich you the more.