Prodigal Son Meaning, and Significance According to the Bible
The Prodigal Son is one of the most popular parables in the Bible. Many people, including non-Christians, are familiar with the story because it highlights some of the attributes of God as all loving and forgiving. Also, it teaches some practical lessons that everyone should take note of. This post, therefore, attempts to explain the meaning of the Prodigal Son parable, and also explore the significance of the story.
Prodigal Son Parable Summary
“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” Luke 15: 11-13.
A further reading of this prodigal son parable Bible verse in Luke 15 informs us of that things were not the same for the younger son after he squandered his wealth in a strange land. Things turned upside down even to the point that he took ridiculous jobs. Eventually, after realizing his mistakes, he decided to go back to his father.
“I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” Luke 15: 18-19.
The Bible recorded that when his father saw him from afar; he had compassion on him and threw a party to celebrate his return. How loving this is!
The Parable of the Prodigal Son Meaning
As interesting as this parable of the Prodigal Son may seem, it is a narrative that we should take time to study and highlight the lessons that are therein.
From the summary of the parable above, the Bible paints the picture of the prodigal son as someone who was initially identified with God, but suddenly fell short of His grace; and then returned after realizing their wrong doing.
Given this explanation, we can say that prodigal son meaning is can be explained as a backslider, who suddenly compromises his faith in God, and later returns for forgiveness after acknowledging their wrong decision.
Furthermore, we can say that the explanation of the Prodigal Son’s meaning is very similar to that of the Lost Sheep parable. Here, the youngest son represents the lost sheep that left the ninety-nine and went astray. In the same breath, the father of the two sons means the shepherd that is worried over the lost sheep.
In essence, this parable highlights the fact that God is compassionate, loving and gracious. And He is willing to forgive anyone who turns away from the path of righteousness. Hence, the story of the prodigal son is that of conviction, soberness, reconciliation and forgiveness.
See: Lessons from the Story of Nicodemus in the Bible
Lessons from Parable
We just explained the meaning of the prodigal son parable. Now, let’s examine some of the lessons from the story.
- God is merciful
- God receives backsliders with open arms
- Grace supersedes sins
- We should learn to forgive always
Frequently Asked Questions on the Prodigal Son Meaning
1. What is the true meaning of the prodigal son?
From the summary of the parable given above, we realise the fact that those who turn away from righteousness and patronize the things of the world are no longer qualified as children of God. Therefore, we can say a prodigal son to a dog that goes back to its vomit.
2. What are the characteristics of a prodigal son?
Identifying a prodigal son is not much of a work for people gifted with the discerning spirit. Traits such as greed, selfishness, extravagant lifestyles, and whatnot are often manifested by those who backslide from the faith.
Conclusion
This post tries to explain the meaning of a prodigal son as someone who suddenly renounces their faith in God and embraces their old lifestyle. Also, reeling from the parable told in the Bible, we realize the attribute of God as ever loving, compassionate and forgiving. Additionally, we listed 4 major lessons for every believer to learn.
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