Verses 11 – 19:
Was the miserable son wasteful? The young son’s portion of the property was 33% (Deuteronomy 21:17). By and large, he would have gotten this at his father’s death, although fathers in some cases decided to split their property early and resign from dealing with the estates. What is surprising here is that the younger son started the division of the property. This showed disrespect for his father’s position as the head of the family.
As indicated by Moses' Law, pigs were unclean creatures (Leviticus 11:2-8; Deuteronomy 14:8). This implied that they could not be eaten or utilized for sacrifices. To shield themselves from pollution, Jews would not touch them. For a Jew to go as far as taking care of pigs was an extraordinary embarrassment, and for this young fellow to eat the food the pigs had contacted was to be corrupted too much. This youth man had really sunk to the bottom.
The young son, in the same way as others who are defiant and juvenile, needed to be free and live however he wanted, he needed to arrive in a desperate predicament before he "came to himself” (started thinking clearly). It regularly takes incredible distress and misfortune to make individuals look to the One who can help them. Is it true that we will carry on with life in our own particular manner, childishly shoving aside any obligation or responsibility that impedes us? We need to pause and look before we hit bottom and save ourselves and our families much pain and sorrow.
He was given much but could not handle it all. His eyes got too big for his head and the world was too enticing for him. The young man lost what he had and lived in filth. He finally realized that he was wrong, and he went home to ask for forgiveness. How many of us have been in a similar situation?
• Lamentations 3:40, Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
• Luke 18:13-14, And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Verses 10 – 24:
Why did the father not punish the young son, if he deserved it? In this story, the dad watched and paused. He was managing a person with his very own will; however, he was prepared to welcome his child in the event that he returned. Similarly, God's affection is consistent, and he is waiting. He will look for us and offer us chances to react, yet he does not constrain us to come to him. Like the dad, God stands by persistently for us to wake up.
The sheep was lost since it foolishly meandered away (15:4); the coin was lost through no flaw of its own (15:8), and the son left with because of self-centeredness (15:12). God's incredible love connects and discovers sinners regardless of how and why they get lost.
The Father forgave him.
• Isaiah 61:10, I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
• Zechariah 3:4, And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
• Colossians 2:13, And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Verses 25 – 32:
Was the maddened son self-centered and resentful? It was difficult for the elder brother to acknowledge his younger brother when he returned, and it is similarly as hard to acknowledge younger siblings today (or even older people). Individuals who atone after living sinful lives are regularly held in doubt; churches are often reluctant to concede them into church membership. All things considered, we should cheer like the angels in heaven when an unbeliever atones and goes to God. Like the father, acknowledge apologetic sinners wholeheartedly and give them the help and consolation that they need to grow in Christ.
In the narrative of the prodigal son, the father’s reaction is apparently different in relation to the older brother's reaction. The father forgave because he was happy, and the older brother would not forgive since he was angry toward what he considered was injustice, His hatred delivered him similarly as lost to the father’s adoration as his younger sibling had been. Try not to allow anything to hold us back from pardoning others. If we are declining to forgive others, we are missing out on a magnificent chance of encountering joy. Make our delight develop; forgive someone who has harmed us.
At the point when Jesus recounted this story, the older brother represented the Pharisees, who were furious and angry that sinners were being invited into God's Kingdom. All things considered, they thought that they had sacrificed and accomplished such a great deal for God. That it is so natural to detest God's charitable absolution of others whom we consider more sinful than ourselves. Be that as it may, when our self-righteousness impedes rejoicing at others coming to Jesus, we are as bad as the Pharisees. The older brother had been there all along. He had been faithful. But pride set in (look at me). He always had blessings, but he did not claim them.
The father stated thy brother was dead and lost but is alive and found.
• Luke 15:7–10, I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
When a fellow Christian falls, do not let them stay there. Help them up and point them back to repentance. When they do repent, give them the support and encouragement that they need to grow. Do not let things keep us from forgiving others. It destroys our joy. Do not let self-righteousness get in the way of leading others to Christ.
