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The parable of the prodigal son, found in the Book of Luke, emphasizes the Lord’s forgiveness for those who repent. The story follows a son who recklessly spends his inheritance and returns home to ask for forgiveness. The father welcomes him with open arms, causing the older brother to question the fairness of the situation. This parable has inspired many creative interpretations over the centuries.
The prodigal son or lost son is an extremely recognizable parable told by Jesus Christ as recorded in the Book of Luke in the New Testament. His theme is considered one of the fundamental aspects of Christianity, emphasizing the Lord’s forgiveness only for the price of asking and repenting. In many Christian churches this particular text is chosen as part of the Lenten celebrations, representing the importance of penance and the promise it holds for everyone.
The basic story of the prodigal son is one in which the youngest son leaves his father and recklessly spends all the fortune his father gave him. In the end he is left with nothing and in a wretched position he returns home to ask forgiveness for his misdeeds. Rather than meet a strict father who has no need for him, his son is welcomed with open arms and joy. His father rejoices at his return, celebrating him with a party.
An interesting part is accorded to the older brother, who is at first rather unhappy that the wasteful younger brother can meet so much joy and forgiveness. The older brother reminds his father that he has been his faithful son on many occasions and through many proofs of his affection. The father replies that all this is true but the return of the younger son is still a resurrection: “Rejoice because this brother of yours was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and was found.’
This second section with the older brother’s response to the return of the prodigal son represents an interesting statement about Christianity in many interpretations. It is not only God who must be merciful, but mercy and forgiveness should also flow from brothers or brothers in faith. Bitterness at one person’s forgiveness, simply because another has always behaved well, really has no place. To be forgiven means to be totally returned to the Father and to all the privileges that the Father confers; there is no in-between state when people meet their God with true penance.
Many are captivated by the moving nature of the parable of the prodigal son, regardless of their religious leanings. For centuries creative artists of various genres have tried to translate it into other forms. There are songs, plays, novels, paintings, and other media that testify to the ongoing power of this particular theme. Artists such as Rembrandt, Prokofiev, Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak (writers of Godspell), the band Kansas and U2 frontman Bono, have all created interesting interpretations based on the prodigal son.
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