The Prodigal

The Prodigal

Reading the Word

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living (Luke 15:11–13).

Setting the Scene

Now we come to the third story. The previous two have built to the climax, the story of the lost son. Here Jesus vividly illustrates God and his mercy for those who turn from their sin and turn to him.

In this story, the younger of two sons asks his father for his share of the “estate” (inheritance). This would have been one-third of the total, with the older son receiving two-thirds, a double portion as prescribed by the law (Deut. 21:17). In making this request, the younger son is showing arrogant disrespect for the father. But the father agrees and gives both sons most of their inheritance. That’s all the younger son needs to make his break from the farm and family and travel to a “distant land” (v. 13). Jesus’ listeners would have understood this “land” to be outside of Jewish territory, especially since the young man later ends up with pigs. Wanting to live his own way and escape the rules of his home and his father, the son takes the money and runs.

Getting Personal

In this story, the father let the younger son take his inheritance and leave. Dad gave his boy the opportunity to make his own mistakes and to suffer the consequences. He was allowing his son to stray, to be “lost.” Jesus didn’t say anything about the conversation between father and son as the boy left home; if they had one, the Father would have spoken with love and probably through tears as he wished his son well in his adventure.

The emphasis at this point seems to be on the son’s choices (and the father allowing him to make those choices). The story describes the boy at home, thinking about leaving; the journey away; the “wild living” in the distant land (v. 13); the desperation and regret; the return; and the reunion.

• What does this part of the story tell you about God? About human nature?
• At one time or another, each person has been a “prodigal.” In what ways does your story parallel the younger son’s?
• Where are you in the story right now? What’s your next move?

Talking to God

Father, I have sinned, and I am not worthy to be your child. Yet you love me and enfold me in your welcome embrace. I want to live in your presence, leaving the “distant land” and all its attractions behind.

Adapted from Life Application Study Bible Devotional by Dave Veerman and Neil Wilson (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2011), used by permission.