Today, we continue our journey through the longest parable found in the Bible!!! Noted British author Charles Dickens called the Parable of the Prodigal Son the greatest short story ever written, and I would have to agree with him!!! It encapsulates the entirety of the Gospel message in its 22 verses. It’s a story familiar the world over and is therefore a great way to easily share the love of the Father for all those who are lost and want to be found!!!

[Luke 15.17-24]

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What does it mean that the son “came to himself”? Read Romans 3.9-26.

+ According to v. 17, what finally drove the son to “come to himself”? Sounds selfish. Is that reason enough to be allowed to “go home”? Why or why not?

+ Who did the son sin against? Is this still true of our sin today? Read II Samuel 12.1-13 and Psalm 51.1-6.

+ What prompted the Father to run toward the son and shower him with love and affection? Did the father know for sure why the son was returning home? What does that tell you about the Father?

+ Do you think this parable is about a person coming to salvation for the first time or can it be applied to those who have already accepted Christ and fall into sin or both? Why or why not?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ I had the challenge and privilege of preaching a sermon on this parable years ago. I titled it The Prodigal Dad??? My point was the emphasis should not be put on the actions of the son, but on that of the Father. Prodigal, according to Webster’s Dictionary, means “lavish, extravagant in a wasteful way, to pour out until it’s empty, pouring resources into something that is not worth it, upon which no return is expected”. Isn’t that exactly how Father God treats us, wretched sinners who sometimes want nothing to do with Him for a time, only to come back, seeking forgiveness and mercy and receiving it EVERY TIME?

[I John 3.1]

1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?