The Parable of the Lost Son
February 9, 2023
Commentary
Again we find in this passage that something is lost, the lost is found and because of it there is great rejoicing. This is the parable of:
The lost son (vv. 11-24) – The son is willfully lost. He wanted to have his own way so he rebelled against his own father and broke his father’s heart. His rebellion resulted in riotous living and he hit rock bottom. Then he awoke to realization, repented, and returned where he experienced reception, reconciliation and rejoicing. He is a picture of every man born on this earth and in need of a Savior.
In this story we see a son who was not content to wait for the time the father would die but he asked for his part of the estate at once in order that he might enjoy it now. What is unusual here is that the younger son initiated the division of the estate. This showed arrogant disregard for his father’s authority as head of the family. We see the same kind of attitude in the lives of many young people today. The prodigal learned the hard way that you cannot enjoy the things money can buy if you ignore the things money cannot buy. When God is left out of our lives, enjoyment becomes enslavement. He had to hit bottom before he came to his senses.
Application
If I were to compare my spiritual journey to the Prodigal’s journey, where am I now? ____ At home but not too happy
____ In a far country
____ Coming to my senses
____ Enjoying the fatted calf
Luke 15:11– 24 (NET)
11 Then Jesus said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them. 13 After a few days, the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth with a wild lifestyle. 14 Then after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and worked for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He was longing to eat the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger! 18 I will get up and go 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; treat me like one of your hired workers.”’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him. 21 Then his 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 slaves, ‘Hurry! 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 us eat and celebrate, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
Illustration: The Time for Joy is Now Not Next Week
Author Leo Buscaglia tells this story about his mother and their “misery dinner.” It was the night after his father came home and said it looked as if he would have to go into bankruptcy because his partner had departed with their firm’s funds. His mother went out and sold some jewelry to buy food for a sumptuous feast. Other members of the family scolded her for it. But she told them that “the time for joy is now, when we need it most, not next week.” Her courageous act rallied the family. (Christopher News Notes, August, 1993).