Prodigal

Luke 15:11-32

The parable of the prodigal son is perhaps the most famous of Jesus' parables. This parable depicts a father and his two sons; as the younger one squanders his inheritance, the older is frustrated for not being celebrated for his continual obedience. There are many teachings on the heart of the father and the younger son already out there so I will focus in on the older one. The older son reminds me of Jonah. A man of God and a prophet of God that disobeyed God when asked to preach repentance to the Ninevites simply because they were the enemy of the Jews. Jonah was reluctant to see them repent before God, because he just did not like them. He was reluctant to obey God's will and follow God's heart because his own heart was hardened against the Ninevites. This older son fails to understand his father's heart, fails to obey what his father really wants and fails to celebrate the return of his younger brother simply because he despised him for doing what he did. The older brother wanted his own celebration because he did not do what his younger brother did and he could not see how this situation was fair. The Pharisees listening to Jesus as he speaks this parable are reminiscent of this older brother. The attitude of always just trying to do what is right, thinking low of those who do not and ultimately seeking personal reward over obeying the will of God towards the lost. Jesus is reminding us of the human condition that is so self-centred and self-centric. May we all repent for the kingdom is near.