Knowing The Word in Luke 15:11-24, The Parable of the Prodigal Son

The Parable of the Prodigal Son, also known as the Parable of the Lost Son, is perhaps the most moving of all the parables Jesus told. The asking for his inheritance by the younger son is tantamount to saying he wishes his father were dead. Gathering all he has—leaving nothing behind as an anchor to bring him back home—he goes to a Gentile country, wasting what he receives by grace in extravagant living. Hit by both economic and natural disasters, he did a job no Jew would do: feed pigs. Poor and hungry, he is held in less esteem than the pigs he feeds. Hardship, however, has a wonderful way of helping us face the facts. He recognizes that his sin is first against God. Sin is always first against God. The son decides his father will forgive him and take him back as a servant because he knows his father’s character. The father has no false pride but a well of humble, sacrificial love from which his character springs. There is no doubt that in the father’s welcome of the younger son Jesus is teaching that the Father welcomes repentant sinners. This is the good news of the gospel for all who come to Jesus. The father throws a party. Has the son finally found what he has been looking for since he left home?

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Prayer: O Lord Christ, help us to maintain ourselves in simplicity, and in joy, the joy of the merciful, the joy of brotherly love. Grant that, renouncing henceforth all thought of looking back, and joyful with infinite gratitude, we may never fear to precede the dawn, to praise and bless and sing to the Christ our Lord.

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