Parable of the Prodigal Son

There are few parables taught by Jesus that are as well known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

This is due to the relatability of the son to our own human condition.

As we prepare our hearts to dive into this passage, a couple of questions would prove useful.

How aware are you of the sin in your life that you choose over God?

Do you find yourself to be hesitant to admit your sin to God and ask for His forgiveness?

In this parable we will see a man separated from his Father by his sinful actions, and the joyful love of a Father at his return.

V.11-13: A Selfish and Lost Heart

The son of a wealthy man goes and asks for his father to go ahead and give him his inheritance.

This is the first sign of how lost this young man is, for him doing this shows that he cares nothing for his father.

This is essentially him telling his father that he wishes he would just die.

His only relation to his father is materialistic. This is also how lost people relate to God.

People want all the benefits of their being a Creator, but nothing to do with Him.

V. 14-16

The son spent all that he had acquired and was caught in a terrible famine.

He was so desperate that he became a pig farmer.

To Jews pigs were unclean, thus this is as low and sinful job as one could have.

Because he was unclean, he wouldn’t even be allowed to come and worship on the Sabbath.

V.17-19

The man realizes that his starving state was worse than the slaves that worked for his father.

He decides he would go back and try to work for his father to cover his debts and atone for his wrong-doing. This notion is what many view of salvation, working to cover debts.

All of this would soon change.

V.20-21

The Father on seeing his son runs out and embraces him.

This embrace points to a forgiveness of his transgressions.

The Father forgives without the labors of His son.

This joyful mercy given by the Father makes the Son truly repent, recognizing his sin against not just his father but also God.

This is how true salvation is different. True repentance occurs when we see the true love of God.

22-24

The Father doesn’t restore him as a servant, but has a grand celebratory feast in honor of His sons.

This is the goodness of our God, He richly bestows gifts on those whom he saves.

He doesn’t require good works for salvation, instead he joyfully redeems those who trust in His Son. No good works save us, only clinging to the work of Jesus, and when we see the goodness of God clearly we will wholeheartedly return to our Lord.

Have you truly turned to Christ trusting in His grace, or are you like the Son, living in rebellion or trying to reconcile yourself?

Those of know Christ, and have allowed sin and the world pull you away, know that the Father waits to joyfully restore you to fellowship with Him.

Discussion Questions:

Do you think of how joyful God is when he gets to show sinners mercy?

How can seeing the love of the Father in the story give us comfort in our own walks with God?