Parable Of The
Prodigal Son pg.1
Scripture: Luke 15:11-32 Now the
tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And thePharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives
sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: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 falls to me.' And he
divided his living between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son
gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he
squandered his property in loose living. 14 And when he had spent
everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want.
15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who
sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have fed on the
pods that the swine 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 bread enough
and to spare, 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 yet at a distance, his father
saw him and had 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 fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat
and make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost,
and is found.' And they began to make merry.25 "Now his elder son was in
the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and
dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant.
27 And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the
fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry
and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered
his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your
command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my
friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth
living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' 31 And he said to
him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was
fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is
alive; he was lost, and is found.'"Why study this parable” Jesus was being accused of association with sinners, which was
true. He was born for that purpose to show that it was only natural for the
lost souls in our midst to seek a better life. He then related a story, a doting father, a pair of brothers, one
with a selfish desire, a life filled with lust and careless living, a sudden
realization of lostness, a return to the family, a welcome home party, aided by
his father’s servants, and a spiteful brother, a jealous reaction, accusals and
bitterness. An explanation of love and care. Does any of this touch anyone
personally? Does it sound familiar? You are now and always have been and always
will be a child of God. But with which character do you have a personal
connection? Or have you always been in
the service of God?
Meditation: Jesus contrasts the father's merciful love with the eldest
son's somewhat harsh reaction to his errant brother and to the lavish party his
joyful father throws for his repentant son. While the errant son had wasted his
father's money, his father, nonetheless, maintained unbroken love for his son.
The son, while he was away, learned a lot about himself. And he realized that
his father had given him love which he had not returned. He had yet to learn
about the depth of his father's love for him. His deep humiliation at finding
himself obliged to feed with pigs and his reflection on all he had lost, led to
his repentance and decision to declare himself guilty before his father.
While he hoped for reconciliation with his father, he could not have imagined a
full restoration of relationship. The father did not need to speak words of
forgiveness to his son; his actions spoke more loudly and clearly! The
preparations, The beautiful robe, the ring, and the festive banquet, all of
this, and aided by the father’s servants symbolize the new life – pure, worthy,
and joyful –of anyone who returns to God. The prodigal could not return to the
garden of innocence, but he was welcomed and reinstated as a son. The errant
son's dramatic change from grief and guilt to forgiveness and restoration
express in picture-language the resurrection from the dead, a rebirth to new
life from spiritual death. The parable also contrasts mercy and its opposite –
unforgiveness. The father who had been wronged, was forgiving. But the eldest
son, who had not been wronged, was unforgiving. His unforgiveness turns into
contempt and pride. And his resentment leads to his isolation and estrangement
from the community of forgiven sinners. In this parable Jesus gives a vivid
picture of God and what God is like. God is truly kinder than us. He does not
lose hope or give up when we stray. He rejoices in finding the lost, and puts
all his servants, and resources to work, in welcoming them home.
1).
lust and greed, 2) realization of
sin, 3) repentant acts, 4)love of the father, 5) forgiveness of sin, 6)remember the sin no more, 7) Joy and
exhilaration, 8) bitterness, 9)not everybody forgets, 10) do you forgive and forget? 11) What do
God’s elect do?
Pg.2Jesus' story is the longest parable in
the gospels. What is the main point or focus of the story? Is it the contrast
between an obedient and a disobedient son or is it between the warm reception
given to a spendthrift son by his father and his servants and the cold
reception given by the eldest son or is it the complete forgiveness of the
father?Scripture: Luke
15:11-32 _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 falls to me.' And he divided his
living between them. Who is this man? by "the certain man" is meant, God the Father: Who are the sons? by the elder
son are meant, the Scribes and Pharisees, and self-righteous persons, among the
Jews; and by the younger, the publicans and sinners among the same people; 13 Not many days later, the
younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and
there he squandered his property in loose living. What has he done? How soon does the devil start his
dirty work. As soon as he is born, he goes
astray from God, speaking lies; and as soon as a wicked man has of this world,
what his carnal heart desires, What desires
do all we have?
For living independent of God,15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that
country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And what was he doing? working, to cleanse his heart, to reform his life, So in his
misery, was he happy?16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and
no one gave him anything.Are we to
understand that God had caused this? Yes? No? He had nothing that was
proper food to him. But Christ can give the true bread, the bread of life, to
those that are hungry, and in want.
17 But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's
hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! How
long did it take for you to wake up? When the Spirit of God comes to
work upon a sinner's heart he brings him to himself, It is then when he has a
true sense of it.
18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him,
"Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; Has he made a
good decision? What is driving him now? Is this God’s grace always there
finally realized? Acknowledging
his sin as committed against God, and a godly
sorrow for it, he makes the right decision.19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of
your hired servants” Is he repenting? Is he sorrowful? What
is driving his sorrow? What a happiness and honor it would be to him to be a doorkeeper in
his father’s house, than to dwell in the tents of sin, or continue in this
hungry and starving condition.
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a
distance, so that their distance or remoteness from each other depends
altogether on the state of man's affections in respect to God. his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced
him and kissed him. What’s going on here? Why is not the father mad and
demanding, and vengeful? Is he really glad to see him? he saw him in his progress
towards him, and he rushed to him. God is willing to give his best for us,
especially if it bring us closer to him Thus dear are
true penitents to God, thus welcome to the Lord Jesus. [5.] Here were lips of
mercy, and those lips dropping as a honey-comb: He kissed him. This kiss not
only assured him of his welcome, but sealed his pardon; his former follies
shall be all forgiven, and not mentioned against him, nor is one word said by
way of upbraiding.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. How humble can
he be? How humble should he be? Why do it?God looks to such that are of an humble,
and of a contrite spirit, and dwells among them, and gives more grace to them:
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; Is this
going well for him or what? Why is that?
Another act of grace, not the angels,
but the ministers of the Gospel; who are the servants of the most high God;
"quickly"; which increases the father's regard to have his son appear
in a better condition: "Best robe
"The righteousness of Christ, put there by an act of God's
grace, The Spirit of God is certainly the seal of grace, Isa_61:10
.
The "ring" Meant the everlasting love
of God; and which, as a ring, is round, and has neither beginning nor end, and
puts them upon doing good works to the glory of God.
"The shoes" Meant,
the preparation of the Gospel of peace, Eph_6:15. The Gospel is as shoes
to the feet; it beautifies and adorns, directs, guides, and influences in
walking, and protects from the stones, thorns, and scorpions of the world's
reproaches; and the doctrines of it are shoes that will never wear out: and to
walk according to the Gospel of Christ, A person with all these things on him
was reckoned, among the Jews, as one thoroughly dressed:
pg.323 and bring the fatted calf and
kill it, and let us eat and make merry; Is there a party going to
happen here? Christ is designed, in allusion to the calves offered in
sacrifice, the fatted calf made a
considerable part, Gen_18:7 Christ is the best provision that can be set
before a believer, or he can feed upon; the best that God can give,
The Father and Christ give this food, and bid welcome to it; and there
is a necessity of eating it, for without this there can be no living in a
spiritual sense: so spiritual eating should be with joy, and with a merry
heart, Ecc_9:7 and indeed is the most proper means of stirring and
increasing spiritual joy and pleasure;
24 for this my son was dead, and
is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Who
was it that made the party happen? Can he really do that?
In the stubbornness of the will; and in an
impotency to that which is spiritually good; and in a privation of spiritual
sense and motion: this had been the case, but now it was otherwise: He was
dead, He was lost, but now is found.The Spirit of life from Christ had entered into
him, and Christ was formed in his heart; and a principle of life was infused
into him. The will, and great reason here was for joy and mirth, as there is
for every one that is quickened by the Spirit of God; for such shall never enter
into condemnation, nor die again, but shall live and reign with Christ for
ever: God really can do that.
25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and
drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. Is there a question coming? What is it? Who is going to ask
it? Scribes and Pharisees in particular are
meant, in opposition to the publicans and sinners: now these are said to be
"in the field"; in the world, He came near but not into the
house where he heard music, the preaching of the Gospel by the ministers of
it, the servants, in setting forth the love of God,
26 And he called one of the
servants and asked what this meant. What are his thoughts? Self-righteous persons, know nothing of the covenant of grace, nor
have any other notion but of a covenant of works; as the Scribes and Pharisees
were, they are ignorant of salvation. It is works or nothing.
27 And he said to him, `Your
brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has
received him safe and sound.' So shouldn’t that be a good thing? he came back to his father, as a sinner, a sensible and penitent
one; Christ, to the comfort of poor sinners expresses the rich entertainment
God makes for souls, when they are brought home to him by repentance: "Even
the servants of the Father join in, and all Heaven rejoices
28 But he was angry and refused
to go in. His father came out and entreated him, What is he angry about?,
Isn’t he part of the same family? What jealousy is this he has? The preaching
of a crucified Christ, and of free and full salvation by him, is highly
displeasing and provoking to self-righteous persons. That justification should
be freely by the grace of God, and that pardon of sin should be according to
the riches of God's grace, and salvation be by grace, and not by works. It
should be discriminating, that God should appoint some, and not all unto
salvation; that Christ should redeem some, and not all;
29 but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served
you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that
I might make merry with my friends. What is wrong with this brother? Is he resentful? Why is
that? He has served his father, not in the Gospel, but in the law, moral
and ceremonial; in the letter of it, and not in the newness of the Spirit;
externally, and not internally; from fear, and not from love; with mercenary
views, and not freely. He never did it for the joy and love of it,, only for
the duty of it.
30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth
living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' Is this the son
who has been so faithful and now is resentful? Do we know why? It is that a crucified Christ (the fatted calf)should be preached
to sinners; and so soon to them, as soon as they became aware of their sin, as
it was the will of his father it should be: for such are not to be sent away to
cleanse themselves from sin by any thing they do, and then apply to Christ; or
to heal themselves, and then come to him for a cure; or to get peace by doing
so, and then come to him for rest; or to do any thing to fit themselves for
him, for their case requires present help now, immediate, and it is God’s Grace
that drew him home. At this the self-righteous
man is displeased. How can goodness be available to such a one as my wayward
brother? He does not deserve it.
Pg.431 And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that
is mine is yours. This resentful son who
stands to inherit all of his fathers estate when the prodigal son was gone, now
is questioning his Fathers act why?
He would inherit not at all spiritual blessings,
as the adopted sons of God have; nor indeed any of them, but all that the law
did require was his as an inheritance. Rom_9:4 as the adoption, the
glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, the promises,
their descent from the fathers, and the Messiah's descent from them. But he had
not the heart of the loving Father, nor did he return that love to the brother
or even to the Father
32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother
was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" Is he back in the
fold? Going to get back in good graces?It was proper that we should make merry,....and
be glad for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again, and was lost, and
now is found. and so the parable is concluded by the fathers Amazing Grace. and
the elder brother being silenced, and having nothing to say against such strong
reasoning, should ponder all these things in his heart and come to his own
decision. But we are not told what happens to him. And from this story, the
scribes and Pharisees know what it means also
This is God’s story of his relationship with man since the
creation. Sin has been a tragic part of our lives since the beginning and still
is a bane on humanity today The Jews, God’s chosen people, are still in the
family, but they are resentful And we
as gentiles are the lost sons who have
been found. And the Jews, The Scribes and Pharisees, and some we don’t even
know, who claim to know God are resentful because the doors of Heaven are now
open to all who repent and are saved by the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. The
way home is open to all the lost, isn’t that the way God Intended it? Doesn’t
this make you want to have a celebration?
Question your motives, Why are we here except to glorify
God in all that we do. Instead we try to glorify ourselves by our outrageous
behavior, and when that fails we (some do not) seek recourse by coming home.
There are those who receive us and those who reject us, that is expected. But
God our Father would never turn us away if we are repentant and ask for his
forgiveness, he will even send his servants to prepare our return celebration,
and all of Heaven rejoices at our return. Satan is beaten again.
Questions?1.
Why was Jesus telling this story?
2.
How many human emotions go
against, and how many agree with
God’s intentions for our lives?
3.
How do the Jews compare to the
prodigal son?
4.
Under what conditions does God
welcome back any who have
strayed5.
Do we always agree with God in all
of our life experiences?
6.
How do both sons show their
rebellion to God’s intentions?
7.
What role do the servants play in
this tale?
8.
Who are those servants today?
9.
Is doing God’s will important to
those in his care?
10.
What is the significance of these ?the
ring for the prodigals finger,
A robe for him, the shoes, the fatted calf ?11.
What of the lavish party to
celebrate his return?
12.
Do you know the joy of repentance
and the restoration of relationship as a son or daughter of your heavenly
Father?
13.
What is the brother showing in
this story?
14.
Why would he not be as happy as
the Father, what is driving him?
15.
Isn’t he end result the
celebration of our return, and the failure of Satan to change God’s plan for
our lives?
Gracious God we are so thankful for your
son Jesus, who takes away our sin and remakes our lives to bring us back into
the fold. And Lord Jesus, may we never doubt
your love nor take for granted the mercy you have shown to us. Fill us with
your transforming love that we may be merciful as you are merciful. We look
forward dear Jesus to that time when Heaven will invite us into the celebration
of our return. Thank You God, Our Father. AMEN
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