Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Lost Son
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13"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. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "
The prodigal’s older brother proclaimed to his Father about his righteousness...But he had never lifted a finger or helped his Father bring his brother back...Then when his prodigal brother finally did return, the older brother would not accept his brother's return and did not see him as a part of his family anymore, because he had left them...He was not forgiving of his brother...The brother had judged him and that his returning brother was now unworthy of the family’s love...He refused to help his Father in helping his brother and seems not to forgiven him in a loving Christian Way, but would judge him instead...So the celebration with the fattened calf as dinner, may have happened without both brothers being together...
English Cleric and theologian, John Wesley says this about the Parable of the Prodigal Son...“We have in this parable a lively emblem of the condition and behavior of sinners in their natural state...When enriched by the bounty of the great common Father, thus do they ungratefully run from Him, 15:12...Sensual pleasures are eagerly pursued, till they have squandered away all the grace of God, 15:13...But while these pleasures continue, not a serious thought of God can find a place in their minds...And even when afflictions come upon them, 15:14, still they will endure much hardship before they will let the grace of God, concurring with His Providence, persuade them to think of a return, 15:15, 16...But when they see themselves naked, indigent, and undone, then they recover the exercise of their reason, 15:17...Then they remember the blessings they have thrown away, and pay attention to the misery they have incurred...Upon this, they resolve to return to their Father, and put the resolution immediately in practice, 15:18, 19...Behold with wonder and pleasure the gracious reception they find from Divine, injured goodness!...When such a prodigal comes to his Father, He sees him afar off, 15:20...He pities, meets, embraces him, and interrupts his acknowledgments with the tokens of His returning favor, 15:21...He arrays him with the robe of a Redeemer’s righteousness, with inward and outward holiness, adorns him with all His sanctifying graces, and honors him with the tokens of adopting love, 15:22...And all this He does with unutterable delight, in that he who was lost is now found, 15:23, 24...Let no older brother murmur at this indulgence, but rather welcome the prodigal back into the family...And let those who have been thus received, wander no more, but emulate the strictest piety of those who for many years have served their heavenly Father and not transgressed His commandments.”...