The Prodigal Son Lost and Found

Perhaps the most well-known of all Jesus’ parables, the Prodigal Son is the last of a set of three teachings about something or someone who is lost.

In this story, a wise and wealthy man had two sons. The younger of the two was the titular prodigal, spoiled, entitled, and self-involved. Fed up with living under his father’s roof and authority, he demanded his inheritance straightaway and was given it (Luke 15:12). It was sheer insolence, but the young man did not care; he thought only of himself and what he wanted.

Now in possession of his father’s wealth, he got as far away from him as fast as he could. And there, in “a far country” (v. 13), he began to live “the good life”—feasting, partying, spending. Ultimately, he squandered his entire inheritance.

From there, matters went from bad to worse, for “there arose a severe famine” (v. 14), and he could find no other job than “to feed swine” (v. 15), a most horrible fate for a Jew. The pig was an unclean animal, harmful to eat and vile to touch. But the starved prodigal, gazing at the well-fed swine, realized that he would beg to have the scraps from their trough (v. 16). He was worse off than a beast.

It was then that he realized what a fool he had been. He saw himself for what he truly was, ungrateful, indolent, greedy. Immediately, he started for home to plead for his father’s forgiveness and for a job as one of his “hired servants” (v. 19).

But he was in for a big surprise. The prodigal, self-absorbed as he was, had never taken the time to get to know his father. He saw the world and the people in it in terms of transactions, consumer goods, and material worth. But his father was nothing like him.

When he returned home, his father had been waiting for him (v. 20). Sorrowfully, the prodigal apologized (v. 21). But there was no talk of servitude, of earning his own worth back. Instead, his father threw a celebration for him, kissed him, dressed him, fed him (vv. 20–23)—not because his son deserved it, but because he loved his son.

Reflect: God loves us the same way the father in the parable loved the prodigal. With such love, why do we so eagerly trade being in the Father’s presence for the world’s pleasures?

Key Bible Texts

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:24 KJV)