The man
The Prodigal
A man had two sons.
For this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
The scene
Jesus told this story after the Pharisees and scribes complained that he welcomed sinners and ate with them.
The younger of two sons asked his father for his share of the inheritance while his father was still alive. His father divided his property between them, and the younger son left for a distant country.
He wasted everything.
When the money was gone, a famine came and he ended up feeding pigs. He was so hungry that even their food looked good to him.
Then, Jesus says, "he came to himself."Luke 15:17
His father's hired servants had more than enough to eat while he was starving.
"Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants."Luke 15:18-19
He humbled himself and went home.
While he was still far away, his father saw him. He was moved with compassion, ran to him, embraced him and kissed him.
The son confessed that he had sinned and wasn't worthy to be called his son. His father called for the best robe, a ring and sandals, and ordered a feast.
"For this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found."Luke 15:24
But there was another son.
The older brother had stayed with his father. When he heard what had happened, he was angry and wouldn't go inside.
His father came out to him too.
The older brother listed what he had done right. He complained that his father had never given him even a young goat to celebrate with his friends. And he didn't call him his brother. He called him "this, your son."Luke 15:30
His father answered:
"Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours."Luke 15:31
Then he put the relationship back:
"But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found."Luke 15:32
The point
He humbled himself and went home.
Sit with this
Jesus doesn't tell us whether the older brother went in.