The parable of The Prodigal Son is primarily known for the younger son who rebelled against his father by leaving home and squandering his inheritance. But we also see that the father in the parable is a key figure as it is he who welcomes his son home, forgives him, restores him to the family and also throws a big party to celebrate his return. In addition, the elder brother is another important figure to recognize and understand.
Beginning with Luke 15:25 we see that the elder brother is working in the fields when he heard the party from the house and questioned one of the servants as to why there was a party. The servant explained that his younger brother had returned home and that his father had killed the fattened calf to celebrate. There was not only a big party but the best food was being served. The elder brother however did not rejoice at the news of his younger brother's return. As we see in v. 28, "But he was angry and would not go in."
At first glance we can understand that the elder brother was indignant because his father had given the younger son so much grace instead of punishment. He knew he had himself been faithful and even diligent to serve his father in his work. But with a second glance we may see that the elder son was hurt because his father had never given him a party even with so much as a goat. The father-son relationship can be deeply hurt with even a hint of favoritism, and such lavishness of grace by the father to the prodigal could have been devastating. For whatever reason, the elder son did not go to the house and join the celebration of his younger brother's restoration.
This parable is a fictional story Jesus tells to explain that there can be a rebellion that leads to waywardness and squandering an inheritance. And just as deadly there can be a rebellion such as the elder brother exhibited that leads to pride and self righteousness. Either type of rebellion can keep us from coming home to our heavenly father and being in fellowship with him. The key to this parable however, I believe, is the repentance of the younger son. As we know from v. 17, "he came to himself" and recognized his sin and foolishness. And he repented with an unconditional return to his father.
Jesus interpreted this parable at its closing by saying to the elder son, v. 32, "It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found." Jesus makes a clear contrast between the younger son's rebellion being a form of death and his repentance was his being made alive again. This is the Spiritual life we all need for we all can identify with either the rebellion of the younger son or the self righteousness of the elder son. Or both, at different times and in differing degrees.
But the key to Spiritual life is first and foremost repentance from sin so that we recognize ourselves to be lost and to be dead outside of the grace of the father. This was confessed by the younger son but not by the elder son in the parable. And as we know from different sections of Scripture, God initiates grace to us, but we must receive Christ and the Spiritual life that comes from being restored to our heavenly Father. It is this same repentance we must continue to live by as we live in faith and grow into the image of Christ.
Beginning with Luke 15:25 we see that the elder brother is working in the fields when he heard the party from the house and questioned one of the servants as to why there was a party. The servant explained that his younger brother had returned home and that his father had killed the fattened calf to celebrate. There was not only a big party but the best food was being served. The elder brother however did not rejoice at the news of his younger brother's return. As we see in v. 28, "But he was angry and would not go in."
At first glance we can understand that the elder brother was indignant because his father had given the younger son so much grace instead of punishment. He knew he had himself been faithful and even diligent to serve his father in his work. But with a second glance we may see that the elder son was hurt because his father had never given him a party even with so much as a goat. The father-son relationship can be deeply hurt with even a hint of favoritism, and such lavishness of grace by the father to the prodigal could have been devastating. For whatever reason, the elder son did not go to the house and join the celebration of his younger brother's restoration.
This parable is a fictional story Jesus tells to explain that there can be a rebellion that leads to waywardness and squandering an inheritance. And just as deadly there can be a rebellion such as the elder brother exhibited that leads to pride and self righteousness. Either type of rebellion can keep us from coming home to our heavenly father and being in fellowship with him. The key to this parable however, I believe, is the repentance of the younger son. As we know from v. 17, "he came to himself" and recognized his sin and foolishness. And he repented with an unconditional return to his father.
Jesus interpreted this parable at its closing by saying to the elder son, v. 32, "It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found." Jesus makes a clear contrast between the younger son's rebellion being a form of death and his repentance was his being made alive again. This is the Spiritual life we all need for we all can identify with either the rebellion of the younger son or the self righteousness of the elder son. Or both, at different times and in differing degrees.
But the key to Spiritual life is first and foremost repentance from sin so that we recognize ourselves to be lost and to be dead outside of the grace of the father. This was confessed by the younger son but not by the elder son in the parable. And as we know from different sections of Scripture, God initiates grace to us, but we must receive Christ and the Spiritual life that comes from being restored to our heavenly Father. It is this same repentance we must continue to live by as we live in faith and grow into the image of Christ.
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