Parable of the Prodigal Son

Parable of the Prodigal Son

Among the multitude of lessons taught within the Holy Bible, perhaps none are more widely recognized by devotees and layman alike than the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Found within the Gospel of Luke (Luke 15:11 -- 32), this parable tells of a father torn between his two beloved sons, and the bargain he must make to satisfy a pair of sons both yearning for his approval. By acceding to his younger son's demands for half of the family estate, the father in this parable is demonstrating that he holds an equal amount of love in his heart for both of his progeny, which is tantamount to the love God has for every one of His children.

When the younger son immediately displays his irresponsibility and travels to a foreign land to live wildly, he has forsaken his father's gift of early inheritance, and indeed his love, to indulge in the worldly pleasures afforded to him. His inglorious return home from a life of squalor and sin represents an opportunity for redemption, and the father immediately forgives his younger son's trespasses and orders a lavish celebration be thrown in his honor. The younger son is thus taught the value of real family, the mercy of unconditional love, and the transformative power of true forgiveness, and the lessons he learns are clear: Loyalty to those who love you is paramount and a godly life is one worth living.

While the younger son's journey from impetuousness to piousness is laudable indeed, the moral dilemma foisted upon his older brother bears further examination. During a time when the younger brother should rightfully be following in his footsteps and patiently waiting for his portion of the family estate, he instead demands his share prematurely and absconds to another land to live sinfully. The older son stays the course and continues to work his father's fields, remaining true to his family duties, living righteously, and obeying his father's wishes. The bitterness he feels upon his younger brother's return is natural and understandable, as he justifiably feels slighted by the plentiful celebration given by his father in honor of the son's return. The lesson he is forced to learn is much more subtle and it aligns perfectly with the overall message of the Holy Bible. When the father tells his oldest son "you are always with me and everything I have is yours," he is paraphrasing the words of Jesus himself, who tells his disciples that if they are faithful, He will always be with them. The father's exhortation that "we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and now he is found" shows that the true reason for celebrating the prodigal son's return lies in his ultimate salvation. The father knows that his son has been to the brink of heathenism and apostasy, and with God's grace and the vagaries of fate, he has returned to the fold and renewed his commitment to faithful living. The lesson for the older son is that, while he remained faithful all the while, obeying his father and working the herds, he was merely doing what is right and just, and God has no need to celebrate those who live as He commands.