11 Then Jesus said, “Once there was a father with two sons. 12 The
younger son came to his father and said, ‘Father, don’t you think it’s time to
give me the share of your estate that belongs to me?’ So the father went ahead
and distributed among the two sons their inheritance. 13 Shortly
afterward, the younger son packed up all his belongings and traveled off to see
the world. He journeyed to a far-off land where he soon wasted all he was given
in a binge of extravagant and reckless living.
14 “With everything spent and nothing left, he grew hungry, for
there was a severe famine in that land. 15 So he begged a
farmer in that country to hire him. The farmer hired him and sent him out to
feed the pigs. 16 The son was so famished, he was willing to
even eat the slop given to the pigs, because no one would feed him a thing.
17 “Humiliated, the son finally realized what he was doing and
he thought, ‘There are many workers at my father’s house who have all the food
they want with plenty to spare. They lack nothing. Why am I here dying of
hunger, feeding these pigs and eating their slop? 18 I want to
go back home to my father’s house, and I’ll say to him, “Father, I was wrong. I
have sinned against you. 19 I’ll never be worthy to be called
your son. Please, Father, just treat me like one of your employees.”’
20 “So the young son set off for home. From a long distance
away, his father saw him coming, dressed
as a beggar, and great compassion swelled up in his heart for his son
who was returning home. So the father raced out to meet him. He swept him up in
his arms, hugged him dearly, and kissed him over and over with tender love.
21 “Then the son said, ‘Father, I was wrong. I have sinned
against you. I could never deserve to be called your son. Just let me be—’
“The father
interrupted and said, ‘Son, you’re home now.’
22 “Turning to his servants, the father said, ‘Quick, bring me
the best robe, my very own robe, and I will place it on his shoulders. Bring
the ring, the seal of sonship, and I will put it on his finger. And bring out
the best shoes you can find for my son. 23 Let’s prepare a great feast and celebrate. 24 For
this beloved son of mine was once dead, but now he’s alive again. Once he was
lost, but now he is found.’ And everyone celebrated with overflowing joy.
25 “Now, the older son was out working in the field when his
brother returned, and as he approached the house he heard the music of
celebration and dancing. 26 So he called over one of the
servants and asked, ‘What’s going on?’
27 “The servant replied, ‘It’s your younger brother. He’s
returned home and your father is throwing a party to celebrate his homecoming.’
28 “The older son became angry and refused to go in and
celebrate. So his father came out and pleaded with him, ‘Come and enjoy the
feast with us.’
29 “The son said, ‘Father, listen. How many years have I been
working like a slave for you, performing every duty you’ve asked as a faithful
son? And I’ve never once disobeyed you. But you’ve never thrown a party for me
because of my faithfulness. Never once have you even given me a goat that I
could feast on and celebrate with my friends like he’s doing now. 30 But
look at this son of yours. He comes back after wasting your wealth on
prostitutes and reckless living, and here you are throwing a great feast to
celebrate—for him.’
31 “The father said, ‘My son, you are always with me by my
side. Everything I have is yours to enjoy. 32 It’s only right
to celebrate like this and be overjoyed, because this brother of yours was once
dead and gone, but now he is alive and back with us again. He was lost but now
he is found.’” (Luke 15:11-32, TPT)
I believe the spiritual theme of the
“Parable of the Prodigal Son” is God’s love for His children (both wayward and
dependable).The dynamics of a family can be profoundly effect by its
components: the children, parents, or siblings. On a human level, there are
some things I would like to point out. In today’s society, the mother would
have been intricately involved with such an important child event. Obviously,
that was not the case back then because she is left out of this parable to make
the point of this father representing God.
I have a personal assumption about
this parable (not based on biblical proof). I believe the father was a wealthy
workaholic. The younger son was craving his father’s attention. The only way he
could get it was by affecting his father’s money supply. I believe the younger
son should not have received his money until after His father had died. It
speaks volumes about this father treatment to his son throughout this parable. Let me go on the record to say that I believe
the older brother’s anger was justified.
It had to be difficult to be put in this situation as a father that
loved both of his children (with both their assets and flaws). This parable proves
an important truth to me. Your heavenly Father believes in your potential
anywhere at anytime.
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