Scripture: Luke 15:11–32
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” (NIV)
Observation:
In the third of Jesus' parables about being lost, He tells the story of a wealthy father whose youngest son asks for his share of the inheritance to live life on his own terms. The father divides the estate between his two sons, with the oldest receiving a double portion as the new head of the household. The younger son wastes his share on reckless living and, finding himself destitute, takes a job in a land where even workers struggle to survive. Desperate and hungry, he realizes that even the servants on his father's estate live better than him. He prays for God's forgiveness and rehearses asking his father to take him back as a servant. Instead, the father joyfully welcomes his lost son home and throws a celebration. When the older son, working in the fields, learns of the party, he feels upset and complains to his father. The father responds, "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (Luke 15:31-32)
Application:
The three parables we read over the past two days highlight the joy of finding what was lost. They culminate in the powerful story of the lost son, who comes to his senses and returns home. Similarly, God celebrates in the presence of angels when a lost sinner repents and comes back to Him. We should join in that celebration when someone turns to Jesus for salvation—because at that moment, there's a party happening in heaven.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing God's heart for the salvation of the lost. Help us to join you in this mission, so we can share the gospel message of salvation by trusting in Your deliverance. May we partner with You in this vital work. Amen..