Parable of the Prodigal Son
The parable of the prodigal son (or parable of the lost son) is probably one of the most well-known parables in the Bible. Let’s read these verses very carefully and please listen to/watch the song I’ve included under these verses. I’ve also included the lyrics to the song underneath the video.
Luke 15: 11-32 (NLT)
“To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons.
The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.
About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.
He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening.
We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on.
‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.
We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
VERSE 1
Beneath the surface
And what my eyes have seen
Past temporary
I hear You beckon me
To fall a little deeper
Further than I’ve ever known
Breaking through the boxes
I’m running to Your throne
CHORUS
I’m coming back to You
I’m coming back to You
I’m coming back to You
I’m coming back to You
VERSE 2
What’s every other option
When I’ve known the sweeter choice
My flesh may be a beggar
But my spirit knows your voice
I won’t be satisfied
With temporary pleasures
I wanna taste and seen in full
What I’ve only known in measures
BRIDGE
I hear the song you’re singing
Crying out ‘run child run’
Father I am returning
I’ll stay where I belong
Here I come running, running
Here I come running, running
Here I come running, running
And I won’t look back
No I wont look back
Here He comes running, running
Here He comes running, running
Here He comes running, running
And He won’t look back
No He wont look back
This is a beautiful parable that describes the love our Father (God) has for us (His children), even when we all sin and fall short. Despite how much of a saint one may consider themselves to be, we have ALL fallen short and have sinned (see Romans 3:23 NLT). That is exactly why God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to the world. He was obedient to His Father (God), even died on the cross (see Philippians 2: 8 NLT) as a ransom for ALL of our sins and redeem us back to Abba Father (God). That's true love.
The Older Brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Son
What else is interesting about this parable is the response of the “older brother”, which isn’t discussed much when people bring up the parable of the lost son.
The older brother represents some “seasoned” believers. Instead of rejoicing that his lost brother returned home with a changed heart (since he realized that he messed up and could no longer live the way he lived or do the things he did), he is angry with his father (which of course represents God). He is angry that his father is celebrating his younger brother’s return, despite doing some pretty wild things (various sins) while he remained the “good” son. His anger exposed the condition of his heart because he essentially became jealous that they were celebrating his brother’s return instead of condemning him for being a horrible person because of his past actions.
What would cause someone to be a sourpuss when it comes to someone repenting of their sins and returning back to the Lord? Could it be jealousy? That’s a strong possibility, but let’s dissect it a little further. Jealousy is sin (see Galatians 5: 19-20 NLT) and also indicates that someone doesn’t know or isn’t secure in their true identity in Christ. Ouch!
Could the older brother also represent religious people? You know, the ones that are Pharisees-like, who consistently point out people’s sins/flaws and hold it against them. I guess the modern day term for Pharisees are Bible thumpers. The older brother from this parable could represent modern-day Bible thumpers.
The truth is, the older brother in this parable can represent a few heart conditions that we may be struggling with. If you've sinned (which is ALL of us, if we are being completely honest here; again, see Romans 3:23 NLT), repented of your sins (even the wild ones that you thought God would never forgive you of), and truly know that you have been for given of your sins & can now live in complete freedom through Christ, why would you be angry or jealous that someone else is experiencing that same freedom from their sins?
Just something to think about.
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death”
