3 Examples in the Parable of the Prodigal Son: Which One Most Speaks to You?

What if I told you the topics of impatience, pride, jealousy, bitterness, faithfulness, and unconditional love were all included in the same parable? Would you believe me? Well, considering Scripture is rich beyond measure, perhaps you would. It didn’t take long for me to see how the parable of the prodigal son was one most are familiar with. But over the years, it appears I only gradually understood just how much this parable has to offer. This is no revolutionary discovery on my part, but it’s certainly worth probing.

Maybe this isn’t the case for you, but when I heard about the prodigal son, it was almost always with the emphasis on, you guessed it, the prodigal son! But there are two other important characters in this parable: the brother and the father. And with each character comes a different lesson begging to be applied to our lives as we increasingly strive toward godliness. Let’s go through them.

1. The Prodigal Son: “He Was Lost, and Is Found.”

It seems fitting to start with the most obvious: the prodigal son himself. As described in Luke chapter 15, he is the younger of the two sons. Right away, we learn that he is an impatient fellow. Approaching his dad, he demands, “Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.” The father obliged and “divided his property between” the sons. With his new belongings, the younger son took all he had and left his father’s house. We’re told he “squandered his property in reckless living,” spending everything he had. Resulting in a position of need, he found work feeding pigs, where he then found himself “longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate.” And yet, “no one gave him anything.”

Demanding a reward that was meant to be given to him after his father’s passing, we can see his lack of stewardship — he took what he was given and wasted it. And for what? To be left starving and in a position worse than the pigs. His impatience, mixed with pride, left him with nothing — not even those around him were willing to help. And so, we see in an event caused by impatience and pride, we must seek reconciliation through restraint and humility. If only this son would have waited for his inheritance as he was supposed to — how much heartache could have been spared! And yet, it was this hardship that brought him to his knees. He went home and he cried out, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

A lesson against impatience and pride, indeed. Just as this son realized he was not wise in his own sight, may we realize the same is true of us. We need our heavenly Father, for without Him, we have nothing. And just as the son sought forgiveness for his wrongful ways, may we boldly approach the throne of grace with repentance and faith.

2. The Brother: “He Was Angry and Refused to Go In.”

Moving on to the next character in this parable, we come to the other son. So far, I’ve only ever heard one sermon on the prodigal son’s brother. And yet, what his role in the parable teaches us is immeasurably valuable. We know very little about this son. We know he did not run away from home and squander his property, and we know that he was full of jealousy and bitterness.

When his father celebrated the return of his prodigal son, the other son became “angry” and “refused” to partake in the festivities. “Look,” he quipped at his father, “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.” Jealousy consumed him. Bitterness turned his words into daggers. “This son of yours” is how he referred to his brother, blinded to the beauty of what his return truly meant.

Indeed, the son returning home portrays the glorious picture of redemption. It’s an example of how, no matter how far we have strayed, no disease is beyond Christ’s cure. Even the vilest of sinners can have a seat at His table. It’s such a marvelous truth, and one that should be celebrated no matter what. If a soul is saved, God’s people rejoice. But this brother did not rejoice in a soul returning home. The miracle of salvation stirred no bliss in his hardened heart. So outraged and selfish, he had no room to celebrate the soul that was lost then was found. The lesson this brother teaches us is black and white. May we never be so self-centered as to think there are people who, upon conversion, are not worth welcoming into the Kingdom with open arms.

And this isn’t just a lesson against jealousy and bitterness, but a reminder to walk in thankfulness for our own salvation. We’re all one step, one decision, or one sin away from those we see stumbling, aren’t we? We can just as easily fall like the prodigal son if we allow ourselves to forget the blessings we already have and become obsessed with what we don’t. Alongside his distasteful reaction to his brother’s return, this son reminds us just how easily we take what we have for granted.

3. The Father: “You Are Always with Me, and All That Is Mine Is Yours.”

This leads us to our final character. Between a rebellious son who runs away and a son who is bitter and ungrateful, it appears this father has his hands full. And yet, in love, he celebrated his son’s return with a feast. As the Scripture reads, while the son “was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” What a wonderful image of how our heavenly Father views us.

But beyond this picture of grace toward his younger son, we see the father’s abundant love in that he tenderly spoke with his other son, even while he was hot with anger. “Son,” he said, “you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” And yet, “It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” This is a clear example of the truth gleaned from Proverbs 15:1, which states, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” In response to a son using harsh words, this father gently reminds him of his blessings, and corrects his misguided perspective.

The father is not simply an example for parents. Rather, he is an example for all Christians. There’s a lot to learn from a son who runs away from his father and tries to do things on his own. There’s also much to learn from a brother so consumed with bitterness that he was blind to many realities. But to look at a father who, despite his sons’ shortcomings, chose to respond in love, compassion, and generosity is a humbling reminder of the posture we’re all called to walk in.

Here are some questions I have:

• Do you find yourself wanting to do things on your own, even at the cost of turning away from God? If so, how has that worked out for you?

• Do you find yourself thinking that people who have wronged you don’t deserve a spot in heaven? Or have you become too focused on others that you forget to be thankful for what you already have?

• Can you say that you instinctively show love and compassion to the people who’ve abandoned you, or the people who’ve lashed out in anger against you?

Three different characters, three different examples, and quite a lot to consider. I wonder, which character do you most relate to, and which lesson did you need to hear most?