Meaning of the Prodigal Son Parable

Question:
Hello Pastor John,

Luke 15 tells us that the Father was overwhelmed when his lost son return and celebrated his return with a big feast without the other son's knowledge 'Luke 15:25-26'25'Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.' My question are:

1. Why didn't the father who was overjoyed informed the older son first about the return of his brother?

2. Why did the older brother has to find out from the servants?

Please help and thanks


My Answer:

Hi,
The answer is in the text:

Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (KJV)

Or:

Luke 15:31 "He said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 15:32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.'" (WEB)

At the beginning of the chapter the Master also explains this:

Luke 15:3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (KJV)

Or in the WEB (World English Bible):

Luke 15:3 He told them this parable. 15:4 "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? 15:5 When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 15:6 When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

The son who had remained with the father was dependable, not one the father had to worry about. People tend to focus on what they have lost rather than what remains. The father was overjoyed that the lost son had returned. At the time the faithful son was in the field 'where he should be' and the father probably didn't even think about him due to his joy at the news.

The father had doubtless been in prayer for years and had serious concerns over the lost son and his well being. For the time being he focused on him. This is understandable.

The son who had remained with the father was understandably taken aback by all the celebrations, but the father doubtless expected he, once he returned from the fields, would be as overjoyed as everyone else and join in the festivities to welcome his brother.

When the father realized that his elder son was having this problem he went out and "begged him" to come celebrate and share his joy. As a father of two sons myself I can SO see this happening. The wealth of the inheritance and everything it brings was with the elder son. He should have rejoiced. But again, human nature got in the way.

This parable can be understood this way:

God is the Father of us all. Through Noah He established a covenant with all people ("the Rainbow covenant").

The Jews are the elder and eternal sons (and daughters) of God.

The Gentiles abandoned God and went their own way.

Jesus was sent only to the House of Israel (the Jews): (Matt 15:24)

However after his resurrection he told his disciples to invite the Gentiles to return Home as well: (Matt 28:20). This calling Home of the wayward child(ren) is "the Church Age."

At the End of the Age (coming soon I believe) both sons will be united in the Father's House... the inheritance will remain with the Jews.

More could be said but this is essentially the meaning as I understand it.

Hope this helps,
~ Pastor John

As an aside for my blog friends:
I am currently writing a verse by verse study of the Book of Revelation that explains HOW these events are occurring and would love to have your thoughts. It is being posted on my Noahide Nazarene Blog.

If we are not contacts yet (on either blog) please invite me!