*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.”
Luke 15:11-32, the parable of the prodigal son, teaches us about God’s deep love and forgiveness. No matter how far we stray, God is always ready to welcome us back with open arms when we turn to Him. It also reminds us to show the same grace to others, instead of holding on to resentment or jealousy. We can apply this by forgiving those who have hurt us, celebrating when others find their way, and remembering that God’s love is big enough for everyone.
Luke 15:11-32 (WEB)
15:11 He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them. 13 Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living. 14 When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.” ’20 “He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate; 24 for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.25 “Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on. 27 He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’ 28 But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’31 “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ ”