The Story Of A Lost Son

HAVING just finished relating illustrations to the Pharisees about regaining a lost sheep and a lost drachma coin, Jesus continues now with another illustration. This one is about a loving father and his treatment of his sons, each of whom has serious faults. First, there is the younger son, the principal character of the illustration. He collects his inheritance, which is unhesitatingly give to him by his father. He then leaves home and becomes involved in a very immoral way of life. But listen as Jesus tells the story, and see if you can determine who the characters are meant to represent.

"A certain man," Jesus begins, "had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me that part of the property that falls to my share.' then [the father] divided his means of living to them." What does this younger one to with what he receives? "Later," Jesus explains, "after many days, the younger son gathered all things together and traveled abroad into country, and there squandered his property by living a debauched life." Actually, he spends his money living with prostitutes. Afterward hard times come, as Jesus goes on to relate: "When he has spent everything, a severe famine occurred throughout that country, and he started to be in need. He even went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to herd swine. And he use to desire to be filled with the carob pods which the swine were eating, and no one would give him anything."

How degrading to be forced to take up swine herding, since these animals were unclean to the Law! But what pained the son the most was the gnawing hunger that even caused him to desire the food that was fed to the pigs. Because of his terrible calamity, Jesus said, "he came to his senses."

Continuing his story, Jesus explains: "He said [to himself]. 'How many hired men of my father are bounding with bread. While I am perishing here from famine! I will rise and journey to my father and say to him: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Make me as one of your hired men."' So he rose and went to his father.

Here is something to consider: "If his father had turned on him and angrily shouted at him when he left home, the son would not likely have been so single-minded as to what he should do. He may have decided to return and try to find work elsewhere in is home country so that he would not have to face his father. However, no such thought was on his mind. Home was where he wanted to be!

Clearly, the father in Jesus' illustration represents our loving, merciful heavenly Father, Jehovah God. And you perhaps also recognize that the lost or prodigal son represents known sinners. The Pharisees, to whom Jesus is speaking , have previously criticized Jesus for eating with these very ones. But whom does the older son represent?

Next time: Continue with The Story Of A Lost Son- When The Lost Son Is Found

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991