Read Luke 15:11-13

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 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. 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.”

Reflect:

Luke 15 tells us a story about a family – a father, an older son, and a younger son.

Think about the characteristics of the two sons. One is free-wheeling and living life as if there is no tomorrow. The other is careful to be obedient and conforming to the rules of life with the father.

Which son do you identify with most?

Have you been a self-centered younger son looking for happiness in your own universe? Or have you been the elder son who serves his father faithfully for his own reasons?

Remember that Jesus is speaking to two groups of people. The “sinners” who choose their own way to search for happiness and the religious people who find security and confidence in their moral living.

Depending on our point of view, we may say that one is “good” and the other is “bad.” But is that the reality? Isn’t each son lost?

Respond:

Yet Jesus presents a picture of love for both sons. Consider this quote from Tim Keller –

“When we see the absolute beauty of what Jesus has done for us, it captures our hearts. Money can’t die for us, popularity can’t die for us. There is nothing more beautiful in all of reality than the picture of a perfectly happy Being, leaving all the bliss of heaven, and sacrificing everything for the sake of rebellious, undeserving, ungrateful people.”