THE PRODIGAL FATHER

This is one of those parables that tradition and preaching have obscured the message to the original audience. Now I am not saying that the calls to prodigal sons do not reveal the heart of God, but it skips over the main people Christ challenged in this story. Once you understand that, only then will you understand why the Jews thought Jesus to be a scandalous preacher and a prodigal pastor! If you see it that way, you will understand how completely ludicrous in the world’s eyes the message of the cross and the resurrection truly.

Luke 15:11–32 NASB95

And He said, “A man had two sons. “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. “And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.” ’ “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. “And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. “And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ “But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’ ”

I. Who do the Pharisees see as being Reckless? (Luke 15:25-32)

a. Definition of prodigal

adjectiveprod·i·gal | \ ˈprä-di-gəl \

Definition of prodigal

(Entry 1 of 2)

1: characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure 2: recklessly 3: yielding abundantly : LUXURIANT.

The answer comes from understanding that the older brother represented the Pharisees and scribes being angry at the Son of God. ()

Based on the definition of Prodigal, one could say that they viewed The Father’s giving the inheritance away, putting the best robes on a dirty pig farmer, killing the prize calf, and throwing a huge party as:

b. THE OLDER SON THOUGHT HIS DAD’S LOVING RESTORATION OF THE SINFUL BROTHER TO BE A RECKLESS WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE.

c. They would even call that type of affection: CRAZY LOVE!

Just look at how a friend responded to my video about this weeks passage:

MY FRIEND ON FACEBOOK: This is why it is so important to show appreciation for those people in your life... That is what I believe is another hidden message in this story. In my opinion the father failed to do that. He should have given examples of how he gave a calf to his son and friends to enjoy.

This one was always a double edged sword for me. One one hand I get it. On the other regardless of the Dad's explanation, I agree with the older brother. It is like the Dad got his son back that's all great and awesome but what about the son that was d…See More

This is why it is so important to show appreciation for those people in your life... That is what I believe is another hidden message in this story. In my opinion the father failed to do that. He should have given examples of how he gave a calf to his son and friends to enjoy. Jim Bohrer I'm glad you are thinking about it. The story is really about the Prodigal Father in the older brother's mindset. Just take a moment to read . Then meditate on it for 5 or 10 minutes. Ponder these questions: compared to God's perfection, am I really bringing anything more to Him in comparison to a sinner or a Pharisee (or anyone for that matter)? Then ask yourself again, if the brother had been receiving wages (he was), and the Father had an inheritance for the older brother as well, whose money was it in the first place? Did either son "EARN" or "DESERVE" what the Father would "GIVE" to them?

📷 Chris Drake Jim Bohrer True. The story was for the older brother more about the father than the long lost brother. And that is a good point. Making the return about himself. Not disputing that. However I'm still disappointed in the older brothers treatment as he felt short changed. I know this isn't right but it is a basic human emotion. I'm not just criticizing the father from a money stand point either. There in my opinion was a true lack of appreciation... Or something is missing. I'm not saying that the younger son shouldn't be celebrated.... Just that maybe if I were in those shoes I would feel both emotions. Happy and slighted... 1 Delete or hide this Like · Reply · 22h�� Chris Drake Jim Bohrer Btw. FWIW. The lost sheep is like this story. And I would never argue with Jesus. However I'm being honest. More rejoicing over one sinner than 98 that aren't lost. I don't know. Just keeping it honest. 2 Delete or hide this Like · Reply · 21hReplied to Chris Drake📷 Jim Bohrer Chris Drake I get it. But the parable is told to cause the EXACT reflection you share. 😉 so Christ’s spirit is using sandpaper and a chisel... I know. Jesus is picking on the older brother and drawing us like the father reaches out to the older brother. Appreciate you bro.

📷 Jim Bohrer I'm glad you are thinking about it. The story is really about the Prodigal Father in the older brother's mindset. Just take a moment to read3. Then meditate on it for 5 or 10 minutes. Ponder these questions: compared to God's perfection, am I really bringing anything more to Him in comparison to a sinner or a Pharisee (or anyone for that matter)? Then ask yourself again, if the brother had been receiving wages (he was), and the Father had an inheritance for the older brother as well, whose money was it in the first place? Did either son "EARN" or "DESERVE" what the Father would "GIVE" to them? 2 Edit or delete this Like · Reply · 22h

My Friend: Jim Bohrer True. The story was for the older brother more about the father than the long lost brother. And that is a good point. Making the return about himself. Not disputing that. However I'm still disappointed in the older brothers treatment as he felt short changed. I know this isn't right but it is a basic human emotion. I'm not just criticizing the father from a money stand point either. There in my opinion was a true lack of appreciation... Or something is missing. I'm not saying that the younger son shouldn't be celebrated.... Just that maybe if I were in those shoes I would feel both emotions. Happy and slighted... My Friend: Jim Bohrer Btw. FWIW. The lost sheep is like this story. And I would never argue with Jesus. However I'm being honest. More rejoicing over one sinner than 98 that aren't lost. I don't know. Just keeping it honest. Jim Bohrer Chris Drake I get it. But the parable is told to cause the EXACT reflection you share. 😉 so Christ’s spirit is using sandpaper and a chisel... I know. Jesus is picking on the older brother and drawing us like the father reaches out to the older brother. Appreciate you bro. My Friend: Jim Bohrer Appreciate you as well. Thanks for the posts. And yeah if I'm up in heaven and I have all that glory, with 98 souls, I'm certainly going to understand celebrating more for that 1 than the 98. So yeah in that context I certainly get what you are saying. Seeing things more on a less detailed manner and more on the message. Thanks for putting up with me bro.

Well, God doesn’t merely put up with our foolishness and sin.

When we repent and turn to Him, He puts us up in the best room, provides a Versacci robe, and has Ruth Chris cater the party.

II. Reasons the elder son harbored anger towards the Father!

a. The Father gave Half of the inheritance.

Deuteronomy 21:17 NASB95

“But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; to him belongs the right of the firstborn.

Duet

b. The Father did not DISOWN the selfish son. (He restored him: ring and robe).

III. The Return of the younger son.

a. He experienced the high cost of low living.

Proverbs 21:20 NLT

The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

b. His friends abandoned him.

c. He remembered his father’s goodness.

c. He repented.

Related Media

Related Sermons