Some thoughts came to mind as I reflected on the parable of the prodigal son. This accusation by the Pharisees and scribes set the stage for three parables (the third being the one with the prodigal son) in which Jesus taught these Jewish authorities and us today how God deals with sinners. One day one of the sons asked for his inheritance, half of the family’s estate. Throughout the Bible we see that God desires for us to repent and be reconciled to Him. It is interesting to note that the father appears to be eagerly watching for and anticipating his son’s return. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version (© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). The parable of the prodigal son is an amazing and wonderful story. Such was the case when Jesus three times implored Peter to feed His sheep (John 21:17). In 1654/1655, Guercino painted a colorful and idealized version of The Return of the Prodigal Son in the Timken Museum of Art in San Diego. He has served in the pastoral ministry for over 40 years, pastoring congregations across six states. For a long time, I thought the … Desire your Father’s will, not your own will. It is amazing how Jesus Christ imparted life’s most crucial lessons to us through these wonderful stories, stories that were easy to associate with, not only then, but even today, 2,000 years after they were told! "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. His father obliged and the son went off to another country where he lived … Continue reading "Parable Of The Prodigal Son And His Brother" More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! God loves mankind so much that He sent His Son to earth to die for our sins (John 3:16). What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? But the parable of the prodigal son is not really about the prodigal son, it is not about the elder brother. In the first it was a lost sheep, a loss which might soon be replaced, and which would soon be forgotten; in the second it was a lost coin, which, as we have seen, meant the loss of what was more valuable than gold, even honor and character; while in the third it is a lost child” (comments on Luke 15:1-32). What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats? In this story, the shepherd had 100 sheep. What is the meaning of the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price? For example, it could be called the parable of the lost son. Some have wondered why such importance was placed upon the loss of a single coin. What is the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares? Never miss a post! Jesus told the story of the lost son in Luke 15:11-32: “A certain man had two sons. What can we learn from the parable of the persistent widow and unjust judge? I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. In the Bible, God’s people are commonly referred to as sheep or God’s flock (Matthew 26:31; Luke 12:32; John 21:17; Acts 20:28-29). The second parable is that of a woman losing one of 10 silver coins. Listen to the descriptive phrases of these two prodigals: Younger: "He said, Father give me…" vs. 12 He gathered all he had and traveled to distant country: vs. 13 He squandered his estate in foolish living: vs. 13 He spent everything: vs. 14 A severe famine struck: vs. … It is also the story of a family's journey to … Jesus’ emphasis on repentance was not a new subject for Him to address in these parables. You do not belong there. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector? Although he had “squandered his property in loose living” in “a far country” away from his father’s home [Luke 15:13, RSV], he was still able to come to his senses. When He began His public ministry, Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 4:17, emphasis added throughout). Described by Expositor’s Bible Commentary (ed. The theme of the parable is grace toward the prodigal. Whether it was a lost sheep, a lost coin or a lost son, there is rejoicing when that which was lost is recovered.There is also an interesting progression in these parables from a numerical perspective and in value. These parables emphasise the significance and value that God places on every lost sinner. And so should we. The Parable of the Prodigal Son - And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)? Note the common theme of all three parables. In response to the chiding from the Pharisees and scribes recorded in Luke 15:1-2, Jesus spoke three parables that emphasized His response. The prodigal son soon realized he had made a terrible mess of his life…and was willing and able…to admit it. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Dragnet? Used by permission. The Parable of the Prodigal Son: Forgiveness and Unconditional Love in Action As we try to understand how this parable applies to our marriages, we must resist the temptation to see our spouse as the louse. 3. The parable of the prodigal son is a good message for every person whether they are believers or unbelievers in Lord Jesus Christ because it shows the mercy of God and how willing He is to forgive all who come to Him in repentance. Jesus said that He came to reveal the Father (Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22), and the parable of the prodigal son surely does this. The first two are: Parable of the Lost Sheep and Parable of the Lost Coin. Parables of Jesus by James Montgomery Boice. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Vineyard? In telling the story, Jesus identifies Himself with God in His loving attitude to the lost. In the Bible, there are three parables that talk about loss and redemption including the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which is the last of the three. These two stories can shed light as to the meaning of the Prodigal Son story. One such … But this parable could have been titled differently. We do indeed have a Heavenly Father who greatly desires for each of us to repent of our sins so we can be part of His eternal family. The main message of The Prodigal Son is that it doesn’t matter how far we stray from our Heavenly Father or how much we squander the gifts he provides, he is always delighted when we turn back to him. We are the prodigal son. Bible Story of the Prodigal Son. “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’. What is the meaning of the parable of the friend in need (persistent neighbor)? As the text puts it: “But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (verse 20). The rejoicing that God the Father and His spirit family, which includes the angels, desire to do is predicated upon repentance. The rejoicing that God the Father and His spirit family, which includes the angels, desire to do is predicated upon repentance. When the prodigal son returns to his father, something significant happens. If you’ve ever felt God couldn’t possibly love you because And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. What is the meaning of the parables of fasting at the wedding feast, the old cloth, and the wineskins? There is also an interesting progression in these parables from a numerical perspective and in value. As Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes: “Not only is there a mathematical progression, as the lost fraction increases from one-hundredth to one-tenth, and then to one-half of the whole, but the intrinsic value of the loss rises in a corresponding series. Remember, our goal is not to compare him or her to the prodigal son but for us to emulate the loving attitudes of the father. “And he arose and came to his father. As we read the account, we can’t help but be captured by the story of a father’s love for his wayward son. Because repentance is such an important subject for all who wish to be part of God’s eternal family, it is not surprising that Jesus included this teaching in the parable of the prodigal son and in the two parables that precede it in Luke 15. Summarizing four major elements of Christ’s teaching, Mark recorded Jesus telling people: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. Jesus begins the story by setting an example of just how depraved the prodigal is. Quote: The theologian William Barclay said, “For centuries the third parable (of Luke 15 ) has been called ‘The Parable of the Prodigal Son.’ But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Or, as Expositor’s Bible Commentary states, “We call it the parable of the Prodigal Son; it might with equal propriety be called the Parable of the Bereaved Father, for the whole story crystallizes about that name, repeating it, in one form or another, no less than twelve times.”. The parable of the prodigal son is one of the greatest love stories ever told - a story filled with mercy and grace. The great Parable tells of a … These Jewish religious leaders of the first century did not think it was appropriate for a godly person to interact in such ways with those who were ungodly. Many people read right over the response God wants us to have to this parable. The traditional interpretation of the parable is unable to explain what the son takes from God when he demands his share of the property. The Chara Project uncovers part 1 of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, focused on the story of the YOUNGER SON found in Luke 15:11-24. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Leaven. That point … The first parable was about a lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7). So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. The parable of the prodigal son is not a bad name, for it does assist us in remembering Christ’s teaching. … Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. They both sought to please themselves -- that is essence of far country. The prodigal son, or lost son, was an abuser of grace. “Now his older son was in the field. Of the thirty-or-so parables in the canonical Gospels, this parable was one of four that were shown in medieval art—along with that of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, the Dives and Lazarus, and the Good Samaritan—almost to the exclusion of the others, though not mixed in with the narrative scenes of the Life of Christ. From the July/August 2016 issue of Discern Magazine. “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. He currently pastors the Austin, Texas, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. Why Does God Look for a Broken and Contrite Heart. After He spoke the parable of the lost sheep, notice Jesus’ explanation: “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (verse 7). People read right over the response God wants us to repent and turn to God or reject.... 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