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The Parable of the Prodigal Son & The Loving Father

(Luke 15:1-2, 11-24)

Prodigal: addicted to wasteful expenditure, as of money, time or strength

The Son asks for his inheritance early

In Israel, to ask for an inheritance early was legal, but considered extremely disrespectful
being the equivalent of “I wish you were dead.”

The Son squanders his property living a debauched life (Luke 15:13)

Debauchery: gross indulgence of sensual pleasures

The Son recognizes his need (Luke 15:14-16)

Famine & repentance (2 Chron.13-14)

The people in a “distant country” in time of “famine” will fend for themselves and cannot
be counted on for help.

The Son comes to his senses/self (Luke 15:17)

Discuss: What/Who caused him to come to his senses? (Eph. 4:17-19) (See also: 2
Chron.36:15)

The Son returns to his father (Luke 15:20)

Discuss: How can we return to Our Father? (2 Chron. 30:9)

The Father, filled with compassion, responds with love (Luke 15:20)

Notice that the father’s response precedes the son’s confession!

“While he was yet a long way off , his father … he ran to him …”

God does not wait for us to come all the way back. The mere turning back to Him
is sufficient to cause Him to come running to embrace us.

Repent: turn around

“… and fell upon his neck and tenderly kissed him.”

Greek, Katafileo fileo, to kiss or to love with intense affection

Spurgeon wrote these words:

 "'Oh, the past; , the past, my father!' he might moan, as he thought of his
wasted years; but he had no sooner said that than he received another kiss, as if
his father said, 'Never mind the past; I have forgotten all about that.'
"But then, perhaps, the young man looked down on his foul garments and said,
'The present; , my father, the present, what a dreadful state I am in!' And with
another kiss would come the answer, 'Never mind the present, my boy. I am
content to have thee as thou art.'
"'Oh, but,' the boy might have said, 'the future; , my father, the future! What
would you think if I should ever go astray again?' Then would come another
holy kiss, and his father would say, 'I will see to the future, my boy...'"

Jesus welcomes sinners (Luke 15:2)

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a
hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." (Matt. 23:37)

See also: The Compassion of Jesus (Matt. 9:36, 14:14, 15:32, 20:34, Luke 7:12-13)

The Son confessed his sin (Luke 15:21)

Confession and forgiveness (1 John 1:9)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not
despise. (Psalm 51:17)

The Father takes the son back as a son

Robe denotes honor or cover by Christ’s sacrifice (Zech. 3:1-4)

Ring denotes the father’s authority (Gen. 41:42, Esther 8:8)

Sandals denote sonship, as opposed to the bare feet of a slave (Luke 15:22)

Was dead is alive, was lost, is found (Luke 15:24)

Discuss: Dead/Alive in what sense? (Eph.2:1-5, 1 Pe. 4:3-6)

Compare: 2 Chron. 33:10-13, for a “Prodigal King”

Compare: Hosea 14:1-7, for a “Prodigal Nation”