Parable of the Prodigal Son

**These posts are to encourage everyone to read the Bible, and get a deeper understanding of Gods Word.

Luke Chapter 15 talks about the lost sheep, lost coin and the lost son.

Whether it is a sheep, coin or a son, God is referencing us to the lost souls whom He is after.

He is a God, who no matter what, is ready to accept us however we are. But, it is up to us to make that choice. Love cannot be forced, and God is waiting for us to return to Him in faith, knowing that He will accept us.

True Heart of God

It was the hand of God that led the Israelites out of Egypt.

God was the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.

He was the One who parted the Red sea through Moses and destroyed the Egyptians.

The Lord also provided for the people of Israel with food and water while they were in the Wilderness.

Although the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was King over Israel, they wanted a physical king to rule over them like the other nations – one who would reign over them and battle wars.

So God said to Samuel,

And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 1 Samuel 8:7 (ESV)

But God doesn’t stop here, He goes on to warn the people through Samuel about having a king;

Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights. 1 Samuel 8:9

God let them know that they would have no freedom when the king rules over them, as compared to if God were their King. In 1 Samuel 8:10-18, God goes on to explain in great detail the problems they may face under a kings rule. Yet, they demanded a king.

It is important to note that, God is not against having a ruling authority (Romans 13:1), but in this instance He warned them against having one.

Later we see that Saul is made king over Israel, and Samuel in his farewell speech to the Israelites let them know how their actions were against the will of God. This was accompanied by a visual display of God’s power with thunder and rain as Samuel prayed.

The people then realised that their actions on demanding for a king offended God, and ask Samuel to pray to God on their behalf for their forgiveness.

This was Samuel’s response,

“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.” 1 Samuel 12:20-22

It is evident here that though we make mistakes, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

I know we haven’t got to the parable of the Prodigal Son yet, but it is important to learn the true heart of God, before reading the parable.

➡ Now let us read the main message of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32.

While it is titled the Prodigal Son, the story is ACTUALLY about the unending love of the Father for all His children. The Father here being God.

Here is how to THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON goes:

1. A man has 2 sons. The younger one decides to go his own way, taking his share of the father’s property.

2. Very soon this son uses up all his money recklessly, and is desperate for a job to make ends meet.

3. He ends up working in the fields, feeding pigs, yet no one gave him anything to eat.

4. Having had enough of this lifestyle, he decided to go back to his fathers house, knowing that the servants in his home were treated better than his current state. This is what he said,

I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ Luke 15:18-19

5. Picture God as the Father in this story, and the lost son as anyone who has sinned and turned away from God, but is now ready to go back to God in repentance.

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast. Luke 15:20-23 (NLT)

This is the true heart of God!

Even if we reject Him and walk away from Him, He celebrates at our return.

But the story doesn’t end here.

6. The older son who was obedient to his father was angry and jealous at how his father was treating the son who walked away from him. But this is how the father (the Father) explains this situation:

“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” Luke 15:31-32 (NLT)

God leaves the 99 sheep in search of the 1 lost sheep and rejoices when it is found (the parable of the lost sheep). Such is the love of God!

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7