Day 1:
Each week of our Lenten series, Return to Me: a Pause for Lent, we will focus on one passage in which God invites us to be in relationship him. This week’s passage, Luke 15:11-32, is a familiar one—The Prodigal (or Lost) Son. This is a lengthier passage, but if you have time, read it a second time, maybe in a different translation. We’ll continue reflecting on this passage through the week, but for today, take your time reading.
Luke 15:11-32
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and now is found.’”
Day 2:
Re-read Luke 15:11-32.
The parable of the Prodigal (or Lost) Son is the longest, most detailed, and arguably the most famous of the parables Jesus shared during his ministry. There are many lessons to pull from these verses and we certainly can’t cover them all here*, but we’ll discuss a few details, particularly as they pertain to our Lent theme of Return to Me.
Although the title of this passage may indicate a single son is the focal point of Jesus’ story, this parable actually revolves around two sons and their father. The younger son chooses to walk away from his father and embrace sin—anything is fair game. By the end of the parable, he recognizes the brokenness he lives in and humbly returns home to his father; the relationship is restored.
The older son represents the Pharisees—self-righteous of their own standing and unfeeling towards the repentance of others. He, unfortunately, does not repent and turn back to his father by the end of the parable.
The father in Jesus’ story gives us a picture of our heavenly Father. He waits eagerly for the younger and older sons alike to recognize what they have in him. When the younger son returns, we glimpse a beautiful picture of the father joyfully and lavishly welcoming him home that gives us just a hint of the love God has for us.
Let’s be clear: both sons have gone their own way and turned from their father. Just as Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden to believe that God did not have their good in mind and that God was not enough, both the younger and older brothers initially believed that a relationship with their father was not enough.
Thankfully our Heavenly Father also has a Son, and his name is Jesus. As we draw nearer to Easter, we know that we have been given an invitation to draw near to the Father through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whether you relate more to the younger brother or the older brother, take a moment to remember your sin separates you from the Father, but even more incredible, remember what a gift you have been given to be able to call Jesus brother. (Hebrews 2:11)
*[If you have never heard a thorough breakdown of this story and the way that each son has grieved the father and the father’s heart for his sons, as well as additional cultural context, please take the time to listen to Timothy Keller’s teaching on the Younger Brother and the Older Brother . They are each about 10 minutes. Even if you have, these are excellent teachings to refresh your memory or learn more!]
Day 3:
Re-read Luke 15:11-32.
There are great benefits to hand copying scripture. It increases your focus on the words and aids in memorization. Today, pick a verse from Luke 15:11-32 (or the whole passage) to copy down in your own hand or to memorize. If neither of those fit with your personality, draw a picture that comes to mind while reading it or read the passage over multiple times, maybe in a different translation. The idea is to pause over the Word and let it sink in.
Day 4:
Re-read Luke 15:11-32.
Today in our Pause, we invite you to pray over the passage. Think through the scripture itself, what you may have learned from Day 2 or what has come to mind in your own personal study, and pray it out. If you need some help, we’ve provided a prayer below.
Dear Father,
Thank you for giving me such a beautiful understanding of your Father’s heart towards me, your child. Thank you that you long for me to stay close to you and be full of thankfulness for all you give me in your Son, Jesus. I confess that just like the younger brother, I can often look “over the fence” at other things in this world that I think I want more than I want you. I am grieved that I have chased other things for joy and fulfillment instead of trusting you and staying close to your side. I know that if I stay close to you, you will give me things you know are good for me and provide for all my needs.
Father, I know it’s also in me to live according to your ways, but instead of giving you glory and thankfulness, my heart can swell with pride and self-righteousness like the older brother’s did. Would you break me of my pride and convince my wandering heart that only by your grace am I able to want you at all.
Thank you, Lord, that your heart is kind. Thank you for longing for us to come back to you when we wander and are filled with pride. You are the God who runs with joy towards me when I repent and come home. Remind me that your heart towards me is kind, you are not stingy or far off. You are generous, warm, kind, and inviting me to come home and stay near to my Father who loves me.
Amen.
Day 5:
Re-read Luke 15:11-32.
Reflect and Apply.
Do you relate more to the younger son or the older son in this parable?
In our introduction to this Lent series, we explored the Fall in Genesis 3 and talked about how Adam and Eve were tempted to believe that God did not have their good in mind, that God was not enough, and they went their own way. How did both the younger son and the older son believe that their father was not enough?
How are you tempted to believe that God is not enough for you? Be specific with God. Turn those lies over to him and ask him to replace them with Truth.
As you close your time in this passage, take a minute to imagine the joy with which the Prodigal’s father welcomed him home—then imagine how joyously God delights in your drawing near to him.
Based on this week’s passage, take some time to think through an application that you can begin to carry out moving forward.
Please come back Monday morning for the post on Week 5.