What message do you get out of the story of the prodigal son?

[NathanH83]

In particular, the difference between the obedient son who stayed, and the wild son who left and wasted his inheritance.

Who does the younger rebellious son represent?
Who does the older obedient son represent?

(See Luke 15)

 

[Andrew]

In particular, the difference between the obedient son who stayed, and the wild son who left and wasted his inheritance.

Who does the younger rebellious son represent?
Who does the older obedient son represent?

(See Luke 15)

Rebellious Son =

Obedient Son =

 

[Lamb]

The focus on that parable should not be about either son...but instead about the father who is forgiving. Just like God the Father forgives us.

 

[Andrew]

The focus on that parable should not be about either son...but instead about the father who is forgiving. Just like God the Father forgives us.

He accepts them both even though the obedient son gets jelly it's such a good parable

I like also how Jesus states that he 'did not come to heal the righteous', very true, no matter how righteous one believes he or she is..even if they believe they follow the OT law flawlessly, the Law was given to sinners and NOT the odedient.. so anyone who claimed to be righteous according to their keeping of the Law, was just being an oxymoron.

 

[NathanH83]

He accepts them both even though the obedient son gets jelly it's such a good parable

I like also how Jesus states that he 'did not come to heal the righteous', very true, no matter how righteous one believes he or she is..even if they believe they follow the OT law flawlessly, the Law was given to sinners and NOT the odedient.. so anyone who claimed to be righteous according to their keeping of the Law, was just being an oxymoron.

He gets so jelly. He gets peanut butter and jelly.

 

[NathanH83]

The focus on that parable should not be about either son...but instead about the father who is forgiving. Just like God the Father forgives us.

Part of the parable is the contrast between the two sons.

 

[Spindle4]

In particular, the difference between the obedient son who stayed, and the wild son who left and wasted his inheritance.

Who does the younger rebellious son represent?
Who does the older obedient son represent?

(See Luke 15)

Younger son = sinner saved by grace

Older son = legalist offended by grace

 

[NathanH83]

Younger son = sinner saved by grace

Older son = legalist offended by grace

But who exactly is the older son? Who is Jesus referring to?

 

[Spindle4]

But who exactly is the older son? Who is Jesus referring to?

Any pharisaical legalist who objects to the grace of God in extending forgiveness simply because He is a merciful, loving Heavenly Father.

 

[hedrick]

We don't know that the older son was a legalist. All we know is that he resented the father making so much of someone who had rejected his father for so long.

It's tempting to understand that in the context of the church's mission to the Gentiles. That was particularly important to Luke, in which the parable appears. But there are various other ways one could use it. After all, the main point is God's willingness to forgive, even after a life squandered.

Matthew's equivalent would probably be the laborers in the vineyard.