One of the best-known and best-loved of all of Jesus’ parables is the Parable of the Lost Son, also referred to as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. You can find it in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, verses 11 through 32. This parable tells the story of a son who goes away from his father’s house, wastes his inheritance, and then returns to be greeted by his adoring father with open arms.
Jesus’ Response to Pharisees and Scribes
We must have a firm grasp of the setting in which Jesus delivered this parable before we explore the story of the Prodigal Son. Because Jesus welcomed and ate with sinners, the Pharisees and scribes murmured about him. As a response, Jesus teaches them about the love that God has for sinners by telling them three parables, one of which is called the Parable of the Lost Son.
The Younger Son’s Journey to Redemption
Once, there was a man who had two sons. The younger son approached his father one day and said, “Father, give me my share of the inheritance that will belong to me.” The father divided his possessions between his two sons.
Not long after, the younger son gathered all his belongings and went to a far-off land. There, he spent his money on wild living until he had nothing left. A severe famine struck the land, and he found himself in great need. Desperate for food, he went to work for a citizen of that country, who sent him to feed pigs. The younger son longed to eat the pig’s food, but no one gave him anything.
Then he came to his senses and said to himself, “How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger?” I will go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and you.” I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.'”
So he set out and went back to his father. 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.
The son said to his father, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and you.” “I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
But the father told his servants to bring the best robe and put it on his son, and to put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then he ordered them to bring the fattened calf and kill it so they could feast and celebrate. His son was lost and found; he was dead, but now he is alive.
Meanwhile, the older son was out in the field. When he came to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. The servant said, “Your brother has come back, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.”
The older brother became angry and refused to go inside. His father came out and pleaded with him. But the older son said, “Look! All these years, I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeying your orders. Yet, you never even gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!”
The father replied, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” 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.
God’s Eternal Mercy and Compassion
In a very powerful way, the parable of the lost son shows that God loves sinners and forgives them when they repent and return to Him. In this parable, the father represents God, who is always ready to welcome back those who have strayed. The younger son represents sinners who have strayed from God’s path, while the older son represents the self-righteous who believe they do not require repentance.
The lesson to be learned is that God’s love and forgiveness are not dependent on human acts or achievements but rather on God’s unmerited favour. The father forgave his younger son out of love, not because he deserved it. The same is true of God’s forgiveness, which is based on His love for us and not on our merit.
This parable also illustrates the danger of self-righteousness. The older brother thought he had never done anything wrong, so he thought he should get more than his younger brother. He failed to recognise that his father’s affection was not based on his accomplishments but on their relationship. In the same way, we must not allow ourselves to condemn and judge others based on our opinion of their accomplishment.
The Power of Love and Acceptance
The story of the “prodigal son” shows us how important it is to admit wrongdoing, ask for forgiveness, and fix broken relationships. It demonstrates to us that God is always willing to forgive us and accept us back into his fold with open arms, regardless of how far we may have wandered from his path. We are obligated to admit that we have erred, to practice repentance, and to ask forgiveness from both God and the people we have hurt.
In addition, we learn from this parable the significance of loving and accepting one another, regardless of the mistakes that others have made in the past. We must learn to forgive those who have hurt us and not judge them based on what they have done in the past. We must learn to forgive and love those who have wronged us, just as the father in the parable did.
Moreover, the Parable of the Lost Son teaches us about the dangers of self-righteousness. We must avoid judging others based on their merit. We have a responsibility to acknowledge that each one of us is a sinner who needs the grace and forgiveness of God. In a nutshell, the Parable of the Lost Son conveys a profound message about the love and forgiveness that God has for those who have sinned against him. It teaches us about the dangers of self-righteousness and the importance of turning away from wrongdoing, forgiving others, and practicing reconciliation. We can experience the joy and peace that come from being in the right relationship with God and others if we apply the lessons from this parable to our own lives and put them into practice.