*Luke 15:11-32
Jesus continues teaching through parables, sharing the story of a father with two sons.
- The Younger Son’s Decision and Fall:
- The younger son demands his share of the inheritance and leaves home for a distant country.
- He squanders his wealth in reckless living and ends up impoverished when a famine strikes the land.
- In desperation, he takes a job feeding pigs, even wishing to eat the pods meant for them.
- Repentance and Return:
- Realizing his dire state, he decides to return home, intending to confess his sins and ask to be treated as a hired servant.
- While still far off, his father sees him and is filled with compassion, running to embrace him.
- Restoration and Celebration:
- The father orders his servants to dress the son in the best robe, place a ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet, restoring his status.
- He then instructs them to kill the fattened calf for a celebratory feast, declaring, “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
- The Older Son’s Reaction:
- Meanwhile, the older son returns from the field, hears the music, and learns of the celebration.
- Angered by his brother’s welcome, he refuses to join the festivities.
- He confronts his father, highlighting his own loyalty and the lack of reward he’s received.
- Father’s Response:
- The father gently reminds the older son that he is always with him and that all the father’s possessions are his.
- He urges him to join the celebration, explaining, “We had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
15:29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.