The Prodigal Son

Second Edition: I have started editing posts from several years ago and reposting them. I am doing this for two reasons: (1) to make them more easily available and (2) to “spruce” them up a little. Enjoy!

(The complete passage is located at the end of the chapter)

The Story

Jesus taught in parables. One of the most familiar of the parables is the story of the Prodigal Son. The story contains three characters: the Prodigal, the bad son, his brother, the good son, and their father. Jesus used stories as an instructional technique to provide an illustration from which His hearers could learn the principles, He wanted them to know.

I have heard many sermons and read many accounts in Christian books in which lessons from this story are being presented. Let us explore these lessons by looking at each of these characters.

The prodigal son is an example of the wayward sinner who has made decisions and choices that have led to a path of personal destruction. Rather than take his place in the family business, he chose to ask for his share and left on his adventure, where he “blew” it in a lifestyle of debauchery. The consequences of these choices led to a point of despair that triggered repentance. As a response to the repentance, the prodigal returns to the father asking for a position as a servant, surrendering his position as a son with the hope of being able to survive. He was joyously received by his father.

The older son remained loyal to the family business and faithfully went about his responsibilities. However, he was not pleased with his father’s response to the return of his wayward brother and became angry. When his father invited him to the celebration of the return of his younger brother, he let his father know about his displeasure. He referred to his brother as, “this son of yours” rather than my brother. He was distancing himself from a relationship with his brother. He contrasted his loyal faithfulness to the family business with his brother’s disloyalty and unfaithfulness. He felt slighted and unrewarded.

Some commentators have been critical of the older brother and have attempted to contrast the older brother as an example of a works kind of salvation with the younger brother’s repentance and seeking grace. There may be something there, but I think the old brother’s reaction was very understandable. We are not told about the impact on the family business that resulted from the younger brother’s taking capital from the business. Surely, the older brother felt that he had to work harder because his brother was not there to share the load.

What about the father? What was Jesus’ point in the story concerning the father? It is safe to assume that the father in this story is a type of the Heavenly Father. We know that the Heavenly Father rejoices over sinners who repent.

 tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Luke 15:7).

However, I want to focus on a part of the story that I have not heard any commentary or discussion. The father let him go! I am sure that the father knew that his younger son was not making a wise choice. I am indulging in speculation, but I am guessing that the younger son’s behavior and attitudes had been on display. Perhaps he was rebellious. Perhaps he was selfish. Perhaps he was disrespectful.

Another thought: he younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate (Luke 15:12).The Prodigal was asking for his inheritance while his father was still living. He could not wait for his father to die. It was like he was telling his father he wished he were dead. How brash!

Whatever the circumstances, there is no indication that the father pleaded with him to reconsider and to stay. We know that in reference to the older brother’s refusal to come to the celebration, the father came out and began pleading with him.

Hmmmm! This is very interesting. What are the implications? Obviously, the father was willing to let the Prodigal go. If we accept that the father in this story is a type of our Heavenly Father, the implication is that when people choose to go in a wrong and possibly destructive direction the Heavenly Father will let them go.

Here is an interesting example: In the Corinthian church, there was a man who was involved in sexual sin. Paul gave this advice: “let him go”!

hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:5).

What are the implications for us? Are there situations in which we should let someone go? Do we need to let go and allow consequences to do their work? I suspect that the father in the story knew that his younger son would not listen to anything the father said in objection or warning concerning his choice to leave. However, the father was willing to plead with the older son about joining the celebration. I am wondering if the father sensed that the older son would listen to his father’s reasoned explanation.

My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found (Luke 15:31-32).

Could it be that the decision whether to let go or not to let go is linked to whether the person will listen? Receiving instruction is wise and can save hardship and failure, while refusal to receive instruction can result in negative consequences.

Here is an application and a dilemma. When we are in a relationship with someone is there a time to let go? Parents face this decision with their children, especially adult children. This can be a decision to be made when seeking to help a struggling friend or relative. Here is a verse that may provide some guidance.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

The keyword seems to be asks. The assumption is if someone asks, they are ready to hear what you have to say. The decision to let go or not to let go needs to be prayerfully reached. I am sure no one would want to interfere with the need for a person to experience consequences like the Prodigal who, when he came to his senses, repented and sought restoration. Interference can come in the form of a rescue or attempts to mitigate the impact of the consequences. Sometimes this can become enabling. Much to think about! Meanwhile, we are prepared and ready to help when they asked.

Points to ponder: What was the main point that Jesus was teaching in this story? The main point is stated: For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate, and this is reason to rejoice. Let us look at the context of Jesus’ teaching. Just before this story, Jesus told the story of the lost sheep. The shepherd left the ninety and nine and went searching for the lost sheep. When the lost sheep was found, there was rejoicing. Then he told the story of the lost coin. After a diligent search, the coin was found and there was rejoicing.

Jesus’ conclusion of the story of the lost sheep was:

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (Luke 15:7).

Jesus’ conclusion of the story of the lost coin was:

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10).

Three stories, three celebrations, each about the finding of the lost. But notice, the shepherd searched for the lost sheep, and the woman searched for the coin. They did not let go. In contrast, the father of the Prodigal did not search for him. The father waited for his son to come to his senses. Observation: the lost sheep and the lost coin could not find their way back, but the lost son could.

Let us speculate a little about what happened next in the story of the prodigal son. It is important to be cautious when speculating about what was not stated in any story, and particularly in a teaching story by Jesus. That being said, what was the prodigal’s new status? The father referred to him as this son of mine. From the father’s perspective, sonship was restored. The prodigal had returned and was asking to become an employee of the family business. Did he become an employee? The father had a history of giving him what he asked. He had given him his share of the business back when he asked for it at the beginning of the story.

Here is evidence that he was not restored to the position of partner or shareholder. This is what the father told the older brother: All that is mine is yours. If the older brother were to receive all, there would be nothing else for the prodigal. My conclusion is that the consequences of the prodigal son continued even though his status had changed.

Closing thought for meditation: The father let go. Where do you and I need to let go?

Passage

The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

“ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.

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