The Parable of the Lost Son

Topic: Joy
Passage: Luke 15:11–24

June 29, 2022

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.