Christian Studies

One of the most beautiful of all the Gospel Lessons in the Bible that gave me the most comfort is Parable of the Prodigal Son in the Book of Luke.

Only Jesus, the Son of God who understands the human soul, could have delivered such a masterpiece. No other parable adequately portrays the depth of God's love towards His prodigal children.

Jesus told this parable to a large public consisting of both the 'religious experts' of His day, the Pharisees, and the 'sinners' most despised by them (namely the tax collectors, prostitutes and other outcasts – Luke 15,1-2).

The Pharisees considered these 'sinners' to be unworthy of the kingdom of God and criticized Jesus for enjoying their company. Thus the Parable of the Prodigal Son reveals both God's love for those who were ready to accept it (the prodigal son who returns to his father), and Jesus' rejection of the Pharisees' self-centered righteousness (represented by the older son in the parable).

The prodigal son declares that he has had enough of staying home in obedience to his father and wants to be on his own. Not only does he want to leave home, he even dares to claim his share of inheritance as if his father were already dead. Such a demand is extremely offensive and disrespectful in the Middle Eastern context – It's like saying he cannot wait for his father to die! However, instead of rebuking his son, the father grants his request.

In a short time, the young man's money was squanders in wild living and prostitutes, and even his friends left him. To make a living, he found a job feeding pigs. In Jewish context, pigs are considered unclean animals; therefore being hired to feed them and even being hungry enough to long for their food illustrates the worst possible situation one can reach.

In this parable, the young man grew tired of eating with the pigs he was tending and he decided to return to his father as a hired servant. Unbeknownst to him, his father was waiting for him to return home all this while.

Eventually, the prodigal son did return home, but instead of punishing him for his debaucherous and decadent lifestyle, the father ran to greet him. He threw his arms around his son and kissed him. Such a behavior (the eldery father running towards his son) is totally unacceptable according to Jewish customs – A rich man of stature and advanced age is not supposed to run up to someone who is much younger and less successful. Half way through his son's prepared speech, acknowledging he was wrong, the father interrupts him and commands the servants to bring him the best robe, to put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet, to slaughter the fattened calf and to prepare a feast to celebrate his son's return.

These symbols prove full forgiveness and restoration of the son to his prior status. The robe is a sign of great distinction, the ring is the sign of authority, the sandals a luxury (only slaves go around barefooted) and the slaughter of the fattened calf the sign of a very important celebration in the family. Instead of becoming a hired servant as he hoped, the prodigal son is fully restored to the position he abandoned long before.

This parable depicts God's unconditional love, His willingness to forgive and to restore us. It should give us courage to come to Him in repentance and faith, without fear of condemnation, and experience personal communion with Him in His eternal kingdom.

Now, let's go back to the older brother of the prodigal son... As he returns from his work in the field, he hears the sounds of the celebration inside the house and, upon inquiring, he was told his brother has returned, and that his father has killed the fatted calf for his brother (Luke 15:27).

The older son is far from pleased with this information about his father’s party for his younger brother. In fact, "he was angry and would not go in" (Luke 15:28). As it turns out, he was really angry with his father for giving his brother such a lavish welcome. In short, he does not share the joy that his father feels on this occasion.

The older brother thus typifies Christians whose attitude toward a wayward Christian brother is far less forgiving than their Heavenly Father.

Dr. James Leong Kwong Hong

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.