The Parable of the Lost Son
Chinese Baptist Church WLA
Bible Study
Jan 16, 2009
Luke 15:11-32
Scene I: “The Family Scandal”
Scene I: “The Family Scandal”
• Family lived in a rural area - a ranch maybe.
• Father owned lands, hired workers - probably
a man of some importance in the village.
• The younger son could not wait until his
father’s death to receive the inheritance
(Deut. 21:17)
• This man of some importance was publicly
embarrassed by his younger son. (Deut.
21:18-21)
Three Main Characters:
I.
The father:
II.
The younger son:
III. The older son:
Scene II: “Leaving Las Vegas”
• How low can you go?
• A Jew working for Gentiles and caring for
swine. The son has hit rock bottom.
• Coming to one’s senses
• The journey back to restoration begins with
repentance.
Scene III: “A Father’s Second
Humiliation”
epepesen epi ton trachelon: means literally to
drape himself on his son’s neck.
The father acted in a humble way a second
time - this time to offer restoration to his
lost son.
Scene III: “A Father’s Second Humiliation”
Just as the son humiliated the father in public,
the father humiliates himself in public for
the redemption of his son.
To offer grace publicly is to restore the
relationship not only between the father and
son, but the son to the family and
community.
Scene IV: “The Secret
Prodigal”
• Jesus’ masterful use of imagery in v. 28:
“The brother who had been on the
outside is now on the inside, while the
brother who had been on the inside is
now on the outside.”
IVP Bible Commentary
Scene IV: “The Secret
Prodigal”
Did the older brother have a legitimate
complaint?
He was the responsible one.
He did his share of the work for the family
business.
He never once asked for anything for
himself.
Scene IV: “The Secret
Prodigal”
Who did the older brother represent?
Scene IV: “The Secret
Prodigal”
Who did the older brother represent?
Answer: the Pharisees and religious leaders
during Jesus’ time.
Luke 13:10-17
Scene IV: “The Secret
Prodigal”
What was the older brother's sin?
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Scene IV: “The Secret
Prodigal”
“If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but
have not love, I am only a resounding gong or
a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of
prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and
all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can
move mountains, but have not love, I am
nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and
surrender my body to the flames, but have
not love, I gain nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Scene IV: “The Secret
Prodigal”
The father is publicly humiliated a third time this time by the older son at a big party.
The father’s reaction is surprisingly humble - he
publicly reaches out to his son and tries to
restore his relationship with the older son and
the relationship between the two brothers.
Additional Questions
1. Why does Jesus teach in parables? (Matt
13:10-17, Luke 7:36-47, )
2. What does the parable have in common with
the previous two in Luke 15? Why did Jesus
speak of the parables in that order: Lost
Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son?
Summary: “The Lost Boys”
• God’s grace means a total restoration of
“sonship” privileges for the penitent sinner.
• God’s grace is not earned by the sinner.
• God’s grace came at the cost of His own
humiliation.
• God’s grace brings reconciliation between the
sinner and community (Church).