He also said to the disciples: “There was a rich man who received an accusation that his manager was squandering his possessions.

Luke 16:1 CSB

This rich individual likely had quite a large amount of possessions. And, it took time for him to hear about the issue because he was likely on a trip or lived in a different locale.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being close to us. You are a good Father and always love us and care for us. You are holy and just and wonderful. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.

Luke 15:32 CSB

This father was a very wise man. He explains to his older son by saying that they ‘had to’ celebrate and rejoice. Was he saying he rejoiced only out of a sense of duty? No. This father was indeed overjoyed to have his son back. But, he is here referring to the fact that this young man who returned was also a creation of God. And as such there was to be a celebration when at long last there seemed to be hope for the good future of this boy.

Also notice that back in verse 30 the older brother had called the younger ‘this son of yours’ as a way of comparing the father and the younger son. The father was a smart man and did not miss this. And he says here ‘this brother of yours’ so as to say yes the apple did not fall far from the tree, but everything on the ground is an apple! These two sons were not that dissimilar.

Heavenly Father, thank You for a hope and a future! It is easy for us to forget, wicked as we are, how much we depend upon you. May we today in America remember 9-11 today and realize yet again that we must look to You and not our powers and abilities to protect us. You are God. You are on the throne. Your will is the one that is to be done. Your way is right. We must never forget how much we need You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’

Luke 15:31

This is a real picture of patience. This son had just directly revealed that he was motivated by material things just as his brother had been. Yet the father kindly reassures him that his reward is secure.

In addition, the father points out the faithfulness of the older brother. This was an encouragement to continue in this loyalty. He was gently warning his older child against the same evil that had taken the younger away long before.

Heavenly Father, You are so patient with us. Your tender love and earnest compassion is beyond our ability to comprehend. Thank You! I will praise You for Your power and purity forever! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.

Luke 15:29

This son obviously had some ‘just renumeration’ in mind. He had served, and he had expected to be well rewarded. His basic motivation was not different from that of his brother in this regard. Serving only for the reward and not out of love is not the correct motive.

Heavenly Father, thank You for working in our lives. You alone can teach us the way that we must live. Your way is perfect and You love us purely, not for the wrong motives. Your care and concern are genuine, and You supply out of a heart that knows what is best for us. Thank you! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

Luke 15:28

We generally focus on the father’s relationship with the prodigal. But, here we see the father ministering to the older brother. He went out to where this young man was sulking. He reasoned with him there. What grace! What mercy! What love!

Heavenly Father, I am overwhelmed by Your goodness. You are holy, just and pure. Your grace and love are perfect. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

Luke 15:27

The Greek word here that is translated ‘safe and sound’ means to be whole. It signifies one who is healthy in mind and body, but also in spirit. It is the Jewish idea of being ‘whole’ and tells us that the joy here was not only that this young man was safe, but that he had the right attitude once again. He was restored to his original place.

Heavenly Father, thank You for making it possible to be whole again. Without Christ we could have no hope of this whatsoever. You have given us all the joys of heaven along with an abundant life here on earth. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and love. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

So he summoned one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

Luke 15:26

The older son was completely unaware of what was going on. Unlike the father, who seems to have been expecting the return of the prodigal, this older son had no such expectation. He could not conceive of what might be worth celebrating this much. And he probably began to suspect the party was for him.

Heavenly Father, You are so precious to me! More than all that I can hope for and dream of can be found in You. Truth and holiness are Your clothing. You dwell in amazing light. Your love and wisdom never cease to cause me to bring You honor. You are worthy! Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

Luke 15:25 CSB

The older son was doing what he was supposed to be doing. He was hard at work in the fields. And it seems nobody had told him what was happening. He was in the dark about the situation.

This is important background for the rest of the story. This son was not left out of the preparation because he was not considered. On the contrary, the father expected that his other son would be just as overjoyed as he.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, devotion, and kindness to us. You have poured out all the wrath for our sins. You did not forgive us by deferring Your judgement. You filled Your own justice. Oh glorious wonder! Thank You! You are powerful and wise and holy. I will praise Your glorious Name for ever and ever! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! ‘ So they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:24 CSB

This is the core of the beauty of the gospel. These words are in Jesus’ story here as if said by God the Father upon the rescue of one lost sinner. This gives us a clear picture of how He feels about the conversion of one lost soul. Surely this communicates the urgency, significance, and pure joy that are associated with that transformation.

Heavenly Father, thank You for life! Eternal life! Whole life! Abundant life! You alone may help us to understand what life truly is. We think we know how wonderful it is, but then You show us that much more. Your are beautiful and wonderful beyond all of our fondest dreams. Thank You for not giving up on humanity! You are true, just, and gracious. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast,

Luke 15:23 HCSB

One who had turned his back on the truth has returned humbled. There is no greater cause for celebration! Yes, we rejoice in those who have stayed and been faithful. But those who are genuinely faithful will, like the Father, always rejoice in the return of a stray sheep to the fold.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus! Thank You for His constant intercession for us. Never will I lose the wonder of that. The Precious Son is interested in His people, and will use them for His purposes. He appeals to You on our behalf. Oh wonder of wonders! By this very fact alone my life becomes meaningful. Purpose, peace, joy, and power flow from the process that You have created. The Spirit works in my heart as the Son patitions on my behalf. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.