Jesus told the parable of two sons: “and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living… and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land.”  This son lost his wealth in wanton living, and he became so poor that he had to feed pigs and even thought about eating what he fed the pigs. According to Jewish laws, pigs are unclean animals, and Jews do not touch them, much less to eat their food. This son found himself in a desperate state, and it is natural that he remembered the happy and bountiful times he had in his father’s place. 

At this time, the son thought of the love of his father for him, and “when he came to himself, he said… I will arise and go to my father” (Luke 15:17-18). He rehearsed the words he would say to the father to ask for his forgiveness. This loving father, however, longed for the return of his son since the day he left.  Our heavenly Father longs for the return of sinners in the same way. 

The father saw his returning son from afar and went to hug and kiss him. The son told his father what he wanted to say, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son” (v. 21).  At this time, his father ordered the servants to bring out robes, rings and shoes, reinstating this son into his position at home. This son did not have the chance to ask to become a slave. He was repentant and was forgiven. He shall not become a slave in his father’s home. Similarly, sinners like us shall become children of God after salvation, not slaves. 

Now, there is a slight problem with the elder son, who heard about the return of his lost brother. He was angry and refused to attend the feast prepared to celebrate his younger brother’s return. The father came out and said to him “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine” (v. 31). The elder son could not see the love of his father for all his sons and the compassion the father had for his repentant son who had returned. All the elder son had was hatred and anger. Our heavenly Father is ever gracious and longsuffering “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). 

What lessons can we draw from this parable?  

1.         The younger son broke his father’s heart, but the elder son could not understand his father’s heart. 

2.         Are we like the younger son such that we forget God when we attain wealth, status, knowledge and power? Did we begin to slacken and not attend worship service and stop serving? 

3.         The parable reminds us that the younger son is not the one whom we should be sorry for but instead it should be the elder son who thought he was righteous. 

4.         Are we like the elder son at times to think we are one up because we serve God faithfully? 

5.         Did the elder son go into the house in the end? If you were the elder son, what would you do?

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