Storyteller: The Parables of Jesusනියැදිය

Party Time! (Part 3: The Parable of the Prodigal Son)

The Parable of the Prodigal Son could have happily ended with the forgiveness and reconciliation of the younger son. But Jesus deliberately continues the story in order to challenge the scribes and Pharisees who had been grumbling against Him. They were wise enough to recognize that Jesus was portraying them as the older son, and they were not pleased. This only strengthened their resolve to come after Him, leading to His eventual crucifixion.

Both sons are desperately lost, and their sins are equally egregious. While the younger son’s sins were obvious, the older son’s sins were less noticeable and harder to observe, as they were carried out under the guise of being “good.”

The older son has many admirable qualities. He is hard-working, loyal, obedient, and eager to please his father. These are not bad traits in and of themselves, but Jesus wanted to remind those listening that He is not at all concerned about the outward appearances of piety. Rather, He is concerned with the inward condition of our hearts and the character we possess.

When put to the test, the older son shows his true colors. He is not at all like his father. He is arrogant, self-righteous, angry, judgmental, entitled, and unwilling to forgive either his brother or his father. He becomes greedy and jealous, assuming his younger brother has come back to take advantage of the inheritance that now belongs to him. He publicly disgraces his father and fails to fulfill his role as the next patriarch by refusing to uphold the norms and traditions by skipping the celebration.

This is grounds for serious punishment. The father could have justifiably disowned him in that moment, but he doesn't. The father is not threatened by the son. Instead, he gives him space to express his hurt, does not dismiss his feelings, and refrains from lecturing him about everything he has done wrong. He shows self-restraint and compassion by reminding him of his position as his beloved child.

Ideally, the father desires reconciliation and forgiveness, which would restore unity within his family, but we are not told how the story ends.

While reconciliation is essential in relationships, the point Jesus is making is much bigger. God cannot be put in a box. We cannot fathom His perfect and divine nature, reach the depths of His love, or fully understand His kindness and forgiveness toward sinners. Jesus is redefining our understanding of God. He is reshaping our expectations of how God thinks and acts, and He is recapturing our affections for Him.

Jesus is well aware that earthly fathers can hurt or disappoint us, but our heavenly Father is incapable of inflicting such wounds. He always has our best interests at heart and loves us unconditionally. However, He will not force His love upon us or impose His will on our lives. We must be willing to surrender and entrust our lives to His loving care.

Romans 8:32 (ESV) speaks to the reality that God is our Father and stops at nothing to give us all things: “He who did not spare His own Son but gave him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?”

Our inheritance is Jesus, and He far surpasses any earthly possession.

We will never be able to fully grasp what Christ has done for us if we cannot first admit how wicked and sinful we really are. We must be willing to confess, repent, and turn back to our Father, Who is waiting to receive us with open arms. And when we do, all of Heaven rejoices. It’s party time!

Prayer

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. (Psalm 103:8-13, ESV)

Jesus, I worship You for who You are. Thank You for showing mercy by not giving me what I deserve. Amen.