Who is the prodigal son in the new testament

So much of the story focuses on the redemption of the prodigal. However, the truth is that both sons had to be redeemed. Again, very similar to what we said before about the sinners and the Pharisees. The sinners and tax collectors knew they were sinners and were probably fully aware of their need for repentance and redemption. In case they ever forgot, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were there to remind them. The Pharisees and teachers of the law on the other hand were lost in their own self-righteousness.

Much like the older son. Their attitude caused them to miss their need of redemption because their opinion of themselves was like the older son. They may have been experts in the law, but they knew absolutely nothing about the love of God or the heart of God. Even though they were in the house, they were just as prodigal as the Prodigal Son. I pray that we would not just become Bible experts or worship experts, but that we would always have the love of the Father pouring out to those around us, because this is what they need.

I have tried to give you some insight into the meaning of the prodigal son story in Luke. The beauty of the story is that eventually, both sons end up rejoicing with the father. This is the father's heart. As 2 Peter reminds us, God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish. The same love and compassion he showed with the two sons, he shows to you and me today. What a wonderful God we serve. I hope you enjoyed my take on the prodigal son story and I would love to hear your thoughts on it as well so reach out and let me know.

Until then, keep reaching out to people with the love of the Father never forgetting how much he truly loves the people of this world. A Prayer for the Lost and the Prodigal. Clarence L. Haynes Jr. Seeing his father celebrating the return of his rebellious brother, he felt angry and refused to join the celebration.

His father pleaded with his older son to try to understand his joy over the return of what he had lost. It was like his youngest son had been dead and was alive again. He had been lost and now was found!

The story concludes with the father pleading with the oldest son. Many have concluded that this parable is primarily about the oldest son, rather than the prodigal. Despite the diverse audience, Jesus was speaking directly to the religious leaders and teachers of the law.

He was aiming straight into the darkness of their hearts, pleading with them to lay aside their trust in their own righteousness and works. Unless we see ourselves as unworthy, we cannot possibly fall upon the grace of God.

Unless we realize that we are spiritually destitute, we will never be saved. It is only the needy who reach out for help or saving. Our sermons can often focus on the younger brother, the brother who physically ran away from home. Often, when we hear the parable, perhaps we can identify with one of the two. Maybe we're like the older brother, who snubs the grace given to him by the father.

Even though he's home, he never truly is home. And when the party starts, he refuses to go in to celebrate the return of the lost son. Or perhaps we identify more with the youngest son. Like him, we had squandered our wealth and ran as far away from the church and the faith as much as possible. Some of us may even identify with the father figure in the story. Maybe we have family members who have gone astray or want nothing to do with us and our Christian faith. Even though many of us have heard the parable a multitude of times, we can always glean new lessons from the story.

We likely know someone in our lives who feels a strong connection to one of the two characters. But in terms of the sons, we need to realize that both sons are prodigals. To his surprise, and the surprise of others, he's welcomed, without question, into his father's loving and forgiving arms.

No amount of time, no amount of money, and no amount of rebellion could get in the way of the father's patience and unconditional love for his son. Of course, the awesome message of this parable is that God is patient and gracious with all of His children.

He is willing to welcome each of us home into His loving and forgiving arms. However, as the two stories above tell us, we should never give up - no matter how far away they seem! God gives us these examples in scripture so that we realize that our children may turn against God. He also gives us instruction on how to dig in spiritually for our prodigal children: Be in constant prayer, always lead by example, and follow through with love and grace, no matter how despairing things get.

Remember God's promise to those who raise children in a Christian home: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" Proverbs , KJV. God , the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus , the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried , and rose from the dead according to the Bible.