Scripture text: Luke 15:11-24
Lesson Background: The setting of our lesson, Jesus is in the company of a diverse crowd of people who came to hear him teach: sinners, tax collectors, the Pharisees, and other religious believers. At this particular moment, Luke tells us that Pharisees and Scribes had a problem with Jesus receiving and eating with these sinful people (see Luke 15:2). As far as they were concerned, Jesus was guilty of sin because he associated with the tax collectors and other sinners, things that the Pharisees and scribes would never do. Because they looked down on anyone who was not like them, Jesus decided to instruct these religious leaders with His special style of teaching-using parables. Jesus used three parables, the lost sheep (see Luke 15:3-7), the lost coin (see Luke 15:8-10), and the lost son which is the focus of today’s lesson. In each parable there was a lost object that was eventually found. In these three parables, Jesus conveys himself as “Lord of the lost”.
Broken Relationship (Luke 15:11-16):
The youngest son’s request (Luke 15:11-12). (vs. 11). “And he said, a certain man had two sons.” This parable is more often called the prodigal son, but the word “prodigal” does not appear anywhere in the parable. The term “prodigal” is taken from the Greek word translated riotous, which comes from a word meaning “prodigal” or “wasteful.” Although the prodigal or wasteful son is seen as the main character, nevertheless, the forgiving father is the one who provides the key spiritual lesson of the parable emphasizing God’s grace shown to repentant sinners.
(vs. 12). “And the younger son said unto his father, Father, give me the portions of goods that falleth to me.“In other words, he wanted his inheritance or his share of the family estate without having wait any longer for it. According to the Law, the youngest son’s share of the property would have been one-third and the oldest son would receive two-thirds (Deuteronomy 21:17). Even though the father was not obligated to do as his younger son’s demand and “he divided unto them his living.” The father divided his wealth or his estate between his two sons. Undoubtedly, he did this with a heavy heart, grieved by the folly of his son and wounded deeply by his insulting attitude.
The youngest son’s wastefulness (Luke 15:13-14). “And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.” The younger son gathered all together” implies that the son took the property that his father had worked a lifetime to accumulate and converted it to cash which he could spend easily and freely. He “took his journey into a far country” meaning he departed into a distant country far away from the fellowship of his family and the advice of his father. While in the far country, the wayward son, “wasted his substance with riotous living.” The words “riotous living” refer to a wasteful, loose, life style. This is why he has been labeled the “prodigal son.”
( v. 14). “And when he had spent all, there arose a famine in that land; and he began to be in want.” “There arose a mighty famine in the land.” The word “mighty” indicates that this “famine” was more severe than others. Since he had saved no money, he began to be in need.
The youngest son’s desperation and humiliation (see Luke 15:15-16): (v. 15). “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.” This lets us know that the young son was in Gentile territory and now working for a Gentile pig farmer. To a Jew, there was no more lowly occupation than caring for pigs. The Jews considered pigs as unclean. The wayward son was at his lowest social depths.
(v. 16). “And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.” If it wasn’t bad enough that this young man fed the pigs, he did not receive ample pay enough to buy food to sustain his body. He was starving for food. In addition, “no man gave unto him” meaning no one gave him money or anything to eat.
Restored Relationship (Luke 15:17-24):
The youngest son realizes his predicament (Luke 15:17). “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish.” This verse implies that when the son left his father’s house he was not at himself; his rebellion was like a madness that would not allow him to think properly.
The youngest son’s humbling decision to return to his father (Luke 15:18-19):
(v. 18). “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.” The son had hit rock bottom.
(v. 19). “And, (I) am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” The son had violated the commandment to honor his father and mother (Exodus 20:12). In other words, he would only ask his “father” give him the status of one of his servants.
The youngest son’s return home (Luke 15:20-21). (v. 20). “And he arose, and came to his father. But, when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell upon his neck, and kissed him.” He hugged “and kissed his son,” even before the son had time to say a word. This was not just a shallow greeting or polite handshake. Rather, it was a sign of the father’s genuine and unconditional love. After all, he was receiving a son, not a servant.
The youngest son fully restored by his father (Luke 15:22-24). (v. 22). “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.” The son had completely been forgiven and reconciled to his “father” whose love was so great and unconditional that he had no grudges or resentment.
References: International Sunday School Commentary 2022-2023