The Parable of The Prodigal Son
“So he distributed the assets to them.” (Luke 15:12)
Pondering any of Jesus’ parables always reveals more truth than is initially apparent. This parable is a gem with brilliant facets that come to light the more story is considered. The basics regarding the father and his sons are straight forward. We tend to typically focus on the younger son’s demand for his inheritance prior to the death of his father, which is self-centered and insensitive. Upon receiving the inheritance, that son leaves home and spends all of it in a distant land. Then destitute, he comes to his senses experiencing genuine remorse and contrition. His father’s past loving providence is recognized, appreciated and desperately missed. Humbled, he sets out for home planning to beg forgiveness and ask to return merely as a servant in his father’s household.
The older son who remained behind with his inheritance in hand, experiences deep anger and resentment complaining to his father, “I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.” (Luke 15:28-30) The words ‘slaving’ and ‘never disobeyed your orders’ suggest that he does not respect his father or appreciate his loving providence. He also is jealous that his brother set out on this adventure and escaped any form of punishment for is lack of responsibility.
No doubt the father in this parable is a portrait of Our Heavenly Father. Notice that he lovingly distributes his assets to both sons. (Luke 15:12) Jesus further emphasizes that the father notices his son returning while he is “…still a long way off.” (Luke 15:20) The father never lost hope that his son would return home, and when he sees him on the distant horizon, Jesus says that the father was “filled with compassion” and “ran out, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20) When the son offers his apology flashing only to be taken back in as a hired servant, the father orders that his son be given a robe and ring and that celebration begin.
Thoughtful study of the details of this parable allows even more truth to arise. Jesus tells this and two other parables in Jerusalem as “All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’” (Luke 15:1-31) It is traditionally assumed that the younger son represents the tax collectors and sinners, and the older son represents the Pharisees and scribes. Yet, if we honestly examine ourselves, it is undeniable that we all wrestle with the attributes of both sons within us every day. The older son clearly ‘followed the rules’ doing all ‘the right things for the wrong reasons.’ Home was a safe harbor to him, but dependency can cause feelings of resentment. He also seems to envy his brother for having the courage to set out on a journey. The younger son was eager to leave home and taste freedom and adventure with no apparent plan. He was not prepared. Both sons were self-centered in different ways and neither recognized or appreciated their fathers love for them. If the older son had truly loved and respected his father, he would have rejoiced with his father at his brother’s return. If the younger son truly loved and respected his father, he would have never asked for his inheritance in advance of his father’s death.
Through faith in Jesus, as our Savior and Lord, Our loving Heavenly Father has adopted us into his family as his spiritual children and left us an inheritance that includes abundant life here and now in His Kingdom along with every good and precious power and privilege that Jesus exercised here on earth. Comprehending and embracing this profound truth is the ultimate journey ahead. Jesus longs to be fully formed within us, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, so he can teach us how to love and bless God Our Father and others. Trust in Him and let it be so.