Parable of Two Lost Sons (Luke 15) | 4th Sunday in Lent | Bible Verse Graphic w/ James Tissot
4th Sunday in Lent (Series C)
Luke 15:1–3, 11–32
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”3 So he told them this parable:
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to2 one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’3 22 But the father said to his servants,4 ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”
Commentary
The Parable of Prodigal Son is one of those parables that on the one hand is very familiar and on the other, never grows old. One son squanders family wealth and another is bitter when he returns. But above all, there is the patient father who runs to find the one who was lost and seeks the older one who is also lost in the darkness of bitterness. This father is a picture of the unconditional love of God toward us! God welcomes us with loving arms, no matter how poor of shape we are in. No matter which son we might find ourselves associating with, our Father in Heaven is seeking us and ready to offer us forgiveness. Jesus has taken our sin of both reckless rebellion and bitter pride upon the cross in order that we might be received as the very children of God. And that is what we are! God’s love is unconditional, abundant, and for us in Christ Jesus, our Savior!
Image: Graphic Design of James Tissot's "Return of the Prodigal Son." In the background in the upper righthand corner the other son is seen peaking out of the doorway.
James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). The Return of the Prodigal Son (Le retour de l'enfant prodigue), 1886-1894. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 8 11/16 x 5 1/2 in. (22.1 x 14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.185 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 00.159.185_PS1.jpg)
