Parable of the Lost Son Part 3

By Mary Vee
Luke 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.

In the last two weeks, I posted parts one and two of a story told by Jesus to the crowds who had gathered. Scroll down to read those if you missed them. 

The story begins with a father and his two sons. The younger one asks his father for his portion of the inheritance. He takes the money and travels afar, wildly spending until he runs out of money. The entire country is hit with a severe famine. The younger son finds work feeding pigs. He becomes so hungry he longs to eat the pig's food. At last, he chooses to go back to his father and beg to work for him. His father welcomes his some home with open arms and tells the servants to prepare a celebration.


Jesus continued the story. "The celebration for the younger son's return began. Food and drink lined the tables. Music played and the guests danced. The father was so very happy.

"The older son had completed his day's work in the fields and walked back to the house. As he crossed the last field he heard music and dancing. A servant happened to be outside. The older son said, 'What's going on? Is there a party?'

"The servant answered, 'Your brother has returned! Your father is so happy he has killed the fatted calf and ordered a celebration honoring the safe return of his younger son.'

"The older brother became angry and refused to attend the celebration. Word reached the father. He left the celebration to speak with his older son. 'Please son. Join the celebration. I have missed your brother so dearly. He's home. Celebrate with us.'

"The older brother shook his head. 'All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. You never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when your younger son returns after squandering your property with despicable people, you honor him with the fattened calf.' He huffed and looked away.

"'My son, hear me,' his father said. 'You are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is now found. Now, please, my son. Come to the party.' He wrapped his arm around his son."

This ends this story. Later Jesus explained the story. There are those who will put their faith in Jesus when young and live a faithful life. But when the time comes for those who will enter heaven, the ones who believed at the end of their life will be welcomed equally. Jesus said, whoever believes in Him will have life.

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.