Parable: The Prodigal Son

Many have heard of the parable of the prodigal son. But let us explore its significance by reading and breaking down the whole story as told in the book of Luke. We will start with the definition of “prodigal” using dictionary.com.

ADJECTIVE

1. wastefully or recklessly extravagant.

   
   

   prodigal expenditure.

   
   

   Synonyms:

   
   

   profligate 

   
   

   Antonyms:

   
   

   provident, cautious

2. giving or yielding profusely; very generous; lavish (usually followed by of or with ).

   
   

   prodigal of smiles; prodigal with praise.

   
   

   Synonyms:

   
   

   bounteous, copious

3. lavishly abundant; profuse.

   
   

   nature's prodigal resources.

One of the concepts we see about a son mentioned in this story is his wasteful and recklessly extravagant lifestyle. Let us read and explore more.

Luke 15:11-32 KJVS

And he said, A certain man had two sons:

Here we see a man that has two male children.

[12] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

Based on the context the two sons seem to be of the age of maturity (20 years old) or older. And the younger son was desirous of his portion of the inheritance that his father saved for him. So the father parted the inheritance he had to both of his sons accordingly.

[13] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

After receiving his inheritance, it was not too long afterwards that the younger son decided it was time for him to pack his belongings and move away and the son decided to move significantly distant. However, he not only moved away from his father and family physically but he spiritually and mentally disconnected from the standard and teachings that his family and father instilled in him. And the inheritance that was built over time for him was wasted. Not only was it wasted but it was done in such a way that the son was indifferent to moral restraints and given over to improper conduct; that is riotous living. Hence the prodigal son.

[14] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

The son had spent all of his substance. He went for broke as they say. And by the end of that cycle a famine arose in the land that caused him to become even more destitute. He was in “want” because he lacked and now had a need. The son was so focused on living in the moment he never thought to plan or prepare for the future.

[15] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

Now the son had to look for work. He found someone locally that would hire him and sent him into the fields to fed swine. A dirtier occupation.

[16] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

The prodigal son become so poor he would have “fain,” that is gladly have eaten the very things he was given the pigs to eat. Now that is low!

[17] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

The beauty in this is that “when he came to himself” see, it can take some people longer than others to come to their senses, and I mean there righteous senses and sober up to say I messed up, I need to repent. He is now thinking on the stability he left. How not only his father or brother but his servants have food to spare! While he over here struggling for no reason. Pride is a hell of a drug!

[18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

This is where the most important step of the repentance phase comes in. I have sinned and I will return. Meditating on what he needs to do to get right.

[19] And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

He is now so humble he doesn’t even want to come back where he was, he wants to return to a lower state. Let me be one of your servants I will work as they work.

[20] And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

The father was not in a space where he felt all was lost for his son. He had compassion on him. And the father was focused on the bigger picture.

[21] And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Now the prodigal son does the hardest part of this phase. The sincere apology. He know he sinned greatly and is not worthy to truly be called his fathers son because he has left off from the teachings of his biological father and his Heavenly Father.

[22] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

The father turned in a way that the son never expected. He didn’t come out rebuking him, he came out forgiving him and rewarding him.

[23] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

The father wanted to bless the prodigal son. Many of us would say never. Why?

[24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

The father was looking at the big picture. My son was spiritually dead but now he is spiritually alive again. He was mentally and spiritually lost but now has recovered himself. Everybody doesn’t make it back. Everybody doesn’t get to say that. So that is a cause for celebration.

[25] Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

Now the older brother heard all of the commotion and noise and had to come check it out.

[26] And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

He asked one of his fathers servants for the inside scoop of what was going on.

[27] And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

The brother now knows that his younger brother has returned safe and sound and now is being thrown a feast; a party.

[28] And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

The older brother is enraged. He doesn’t even want to go inside. And his father takes notice and decides to come out and talk to him.

[29] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

So now it all comes out. The older brother is conflicted because he feels like he remained loyal. He served for years and obeyed his father’s voice and stayed on the path but never got the gifts and celebration he sees his younger brother receiving who went left.

[30] But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

The older brother knows this man wasted his inheritance and was living in fornication but he throw him a party. He couldn’t see past his brothers errors and mistakes.

[31] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

The father had to let his son know something. You have had the pleasure in being here with me consistently, what I have, you have access to. And when I am gone it is yours.

[32] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

The father had to let his know that we are not celebrating your brothers failures or disobedience. We are celebrating his repentance.