Jesus continued his teaching to a mixed crowd. Luke notes two differences to those who were present. One personality type was the social outcasts and sinners who gathered around to hear Jesus (1). The other personality type was the self-righteous socially accepted religious leaders who came to destroy God’s work through Jesus’ ministry (2). Jesus told them “The Parable of The Lost Sheep” and “The Parable of The Lost Coin”. Now he would tell all a third, “The Parable of the Lost Son.”
The two previous parables had several mutual components. One aspect easily overlooked is that they compare an owner’s response to two identical elements, except one has more value than the other; one sheep in contrast to ninety-nine, and one coin in contrast to nine. “The Parable of the Lost Son” would do likewise. Jesus would compare a father’s response to two sons.
The younger son abandoned his place in his father’s house. He left his responsibilities. He abandoned his father’s lifestyle. He wanted nothing to do with anything about his father, except his wealth. He decided to enjoy life by doing whatever he wanted to do. He represents the social outcasts and sinners. They, like the younger son, had abandoned their place in their heavenly father’s house.
The oldest son remained with his father. He watched as his younger brother dishonored their father. He said nothing to his younger sibling when their father gave his younger brother a share of the inheritance. The parable will show that the older brother, though with his father, did not agree with all his father’s beliefs and lifestyle choices, especially when dealing with this younger brother. Jesus exposes that the older brother did not love his rebellious younger brother as his father did. The older brother represents the self-righteous socially accepted religious leaders who came to destroy God’s work through Jesus’ ministry. Unlike their father, they hated the tax collectors and sinners.
