11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.
12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.
27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Explanation of Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most beloved and powerful stories in the Bible, shared by Jesus to illustrate the boundless grace and forgiveness of God.
- The Younger Son’s Rebellion: The story begins with the younger son requesting his share of the inheritance, which is a very bold and disrespectful act towards his father. He then leaves for a distant land, where he squanders his wealth in reckless living. His life falls into despair when a famine strikes, and he finds himself feeding pigs, longing for the food that the pigs are eating.
- Repentance and Return: In his brokenness, the younger son realizes the mistake he has made and decides to return to his father. He plans to confess his sin and ask to be treated as one of his father’s hired servants.
- The Father’s Forgiveness: As the son returns, the father, filled with compassion, runs to meet him. Instead of scolding him or rejecting him, the father embraces him, forgives him, and celebrates his return with a feast. The father’s love for his son is unconditional, symbolizing God’s love for sinners.
- The Older Son’s Resentment: The older son, who has remained faithful to the father, becomes angry when he learns of the celebration for his lost brother’s return. He feels that his loyalty has been overlooked, and he is resentful of the grace shown to his wayward brother. The father reassures him that everything he has is his, but they must celebrate the return of the lost son, as he was dead and is now alive.
The Message of the Parable
The Parable of the Prodigal Son speaks to all of us, whether we are like the younger son, who has gone astray and needs forgiveness, or the older son, who struggles with jealousy and self-righteousness. It teaches us about repentance, grace, and forgiveness.
- God’s Unconditional Love: The father’s response to his son’s return mirrors the love and grace that God extends to all who repent and return to Him. No matter how far we’ve fallen, God is always ready to forgive and welcome us back.
- The Importance of Repentance: Just as the younger son had to come to his senses and return home, we too must recognize our sins and turn to God for forgiveness. God’s forgiveness is always available to us when we genuinely seek it.
- The Need for Grace: The story also challenges us to extend grace to others, just as the father did to his son. It is a reminder that, like the older son, we may sometimes struggle with the grace others receive, but God calls us to rejoice when the lost are found.
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