Before doing this study, please read these two devotions. Each one will take you 1-minute to read, and they will give you helpful insights for doing this study: 5 Things the Prodigal Understood and When God Waits and When He Chases.
This study will take us a step further in the story and answer the question:
Why did the father chase one son and not the other?
Let's start by looking at the passage, starting with the prodigal son returning to his father. My comments are in italics between verses.
Luke 15:20-32: “So [the prodigal son] got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 'The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Please note that the prodigal fully admitted his sins against his father and against God.
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
The father fully forgave the son and wanted him to know that he could return as his son, not simply as a servant. We see the love of God illustrated in this passage. When we come to Him humbly admitting we are sinners in need of a Savior, He joyfully receives us with open arms.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
The older brother loved his father and cared for him, but he never fully understood forgiveness and grace. Many professing Christians are in similar positions. They've considered themselves Christians and lived "Christian lives," but they've never fully understood God's mercy and grace.
But notice this: while the father did not chase the prodigal son, he did "chase" this faithful son. There are times God chases us and times He waits. There are times that we should "chase" people with the gospel and times we should wait and pray. The prodigal wouldn't have listened until he came to the end of himself. But the faithful son was in a different place. May God give us wisdom when we're sharing the gospel.
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
The father wanted this faithful son to know that he loved him. But he also wanted this faithful son to understand the heart of the gospel message. The sons both needed to "come home," but they were coming home from two different places.
Sometimes we speak harshly of the older brother as if he is the villain in the story, more like a legalistic Pharisee than a son. But this isn't fair. We all come from different directions when we come to the Lord. We may be lost in law-keeping or in lost in law-breaking. We may be foolish or proud, resistant or open, seeking or content. God speaks to us where we are. The father assured the prodigal son that he was loved and cherished and he assured the faithful son as well. We don't know the faithful son's response, but I believe this story is about two conversions, not one.
What do you think?
copyright 2022, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com
This is a very insightful reflection of the Prodigal story. I appreciated that you didn't demonize the older son, which is our normal tendency. And yes, as you say, 'we all come from different directions when we come to the Lord'. Thanks for this Gail.
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