BaptistWay Bible Series for Jan. 29: Story of the prodigal son still offers lessons

Posted: 1/17/06

BaptistWay Bible Series for Jan. 29

Story of the prodigal son still offers lessons

• Luke 15:11-32

By Ronnie Prevost

Logsdon Seminary, Abilene

The story of the prodigal son probably is one of the best known of Jesus’ parables. So familiar is the image of the prodigal son, it’s easy to overlook the depth and breadth of its message. It is a fascinating tale of greed, love, grace and forgiveness. More importantly, it contains a challenge for each of us.

The story of the prodigal son is the last of three parables Jesus told in response to the dismay of the Pharisees and others when they saw Jesus associating with the wrong kind of people (as they saw it).

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All three stories have to do with “things” of value and which had been lost—the sheep, the coin and the son. The first two exemplified God’s love by illustrating the determination of the owner to find that which was lost. And both tell of rejoicing when the lost was found. But in each of the first two parables, that which was lost had no true volition of its own. Neither the lost sheep nor the lost coin could realize its “lostness,” nor could it make conscious choices to change that condition.

The younger, prodigal son was different. He was deliberate and determined to gain what he had decided was his. He demanded his inheritance immediately. By the traditions of that day, his request was legitimate. However, it also meant that he would have no further claim —even if the family estate were to grow in value.

Perhaps the young man’s fortune seemed to be much more than what it really was. Though the inheritance certainly was limited, it must have felt like much more as he jingled it in his bag or pocket. That misconception may have been the source of his continuing ill-advised decisions. Gone as far away as possible from home (and the control of his father), his was a life of mishandling what resources he had—his life as well as his material possessions.

After some time, famine took from him what his mishandling may have left. Finally, finding himself in the direst of straits, he did something that neither the sheep nor the coin could do: he “came to his senses” (Luke 15:17), planned his return home (v. 18) and scripted his words of repentance to his father (v. 19). No longer would he demand a possession (“give me” in v. 12). Instead, he would asked to be changed (“make me” in v. 19).

Of course, the father was overjoyed to see his son return. He ran to greet his son and, interrupting the son’s planned apology, restored his son. Then, the father initiated the celebration he may have been planning and hoping for since the day the son had left. The older brother refused to join the festivities.

In excluding himself from the celebration, the older son was as far away from the will of his father as was the younger when in the “distant country.” Neither son was, nor had been, where their father most wanted them to be.

What is important to remember is that the father rejected neither son. When the older refused to even acknowledge the other as his brother (“this son of yours” in v. 30), the father reminded him of something vital. Yes, the one who had returned had not only been a lost son, he also had been a lost brother. That should have doubled their joy.

Certainly the younger son, usually called “the prodigal,” represented the “sinners” Jesus had welcomed. But the main focus of the parable really is the older brother. It is he who represents the Pharisees and the others who resented the celebration Jesus was having with redeemed sinners.

Through this parable, Jesus was trying to show the Pharisees, his disciples and us that God’s grace is for everyone. You see, as Luke tells us in 9:23, Jesus was on his way to the cross. The Bible tells us Jesus’ death on the cross was not for just a few. It was for all. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 3:26-29, neither social standing, nor amount of wealth (or lack thereof), nor race or ethnicity—nothing of human consequence determines the grace God makes available to us. Just as all are one as sinners (Romans 3:23), so we are one in the grace of Jesus Christ.

As disciples of Jesus, then, we must realize that God’s grace extends to all people. It is not for us and our friends alone. Just as we might insert our names in place of “the world” and “whoever” in John 3:16, so must we understand that we can likewise insert the names of those whom we most despise and those who seem most unworthy of God’s love.

This is our calling: To share and celebrate the good news of God’s grace. We often may wonder what may have been the end of the story of the prodigal son. Did the older brother finally join in? Did he remain an outsider to the party? Do we?

The truth is that Jesus wants us to write the ending. We write the ending of the story every day with our attitudes and actions toward all people.

Discussion questions

• Do you ever think there are people God surely does not love?

• How should God’s grace influence the way we see and treat others?