When we hear the word prodigal, our minds often go to the prodigal son who wasted his inheritance in profligate living. We tend to view the word prodigal pejoratively, but the definition refers to one who is recklessly extravagant or lavishly abundant. Although this story is referred to as the parable of the prodigal son, he is only one of the characters in this story. The protagonist is his gracious father who is a picture of our loving, heavenly Father.

Jesus told this story because the religious leaders were looking down on Him because He was associating with sinners. Jesus told three parables in this chapter each with a common theme: something is lost, there is a diligent search, and there is great rejoicing when the object is found. The culminating parable in this chapter is when the younger son asks his father for his share of the inheritance. He then spends his inheritance in wasteful extravagance. He misused his father’s grace. He hit rock bottom as he was starving and he resorted to eating food that was reserved for pigs:

But when he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;'” (Luke 15:17-18)

The younger son demonstrated repentance. Repentance is a change of mind as we come to our senses and decide to leave our ways and come to God. The younger son acted on his decision and when he was still a long way off, his father saw him, ran to him, and embraced him. This implies that his father was looking for him. The father then called for a great celebration:

for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:24)

Not everyone however, was rejoicing. The older brother was angry and would not join the celebration. His father was also concerned about him and came out and began pleading with the older brother to come in and join the party:

But he answered and said to his father, “Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;” (Luke 15:29)

Whereas the younger son misused his father’s grace, the older son misunderstood his father’s grace. He was attempting to earn his father’s love through his work. As we look at our lives, there are times that we have acted like the younger son and other times when we have acted like the older son. May we realize our Father’s love for us and serve Him with an attitude of love and gratitude.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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