The story of the prodigal son can be found in Luke 15: 11-32
I recently heard someone on the radio say the prodigal son “brought it all on himself” and my thoughts on the subject started spinning. Luke 15:13 says he “wasted his substance with riotous living.” He did bring it on himself, but I think God had a hand in him hitting rock bottom too. Let me explain.
First, let’s back up to the beginning of the story in verse 11. “A certain man had two sons.” The man in the story represents God. I’ve never heard anyone dispute that. I’ve heard multiple explanations on who the two sons represent. In my mind, they are both Christians.(children of God) According to verse 12, both received their inheritance—not just the younger son.
You know what happens next. The younger son walks away (from God) and embraces a sinful life. Have you ever seen someone live a sinful life and seem to get by with it? I have. But if you’re a child of God, you won’t get by with it for long. God will allow things into your life to bring about His plan and purpose for your life.
In the case of the prodigal, famine took him down a notch lower. Who brought that on? Then of all the people he could have attached himself to he ends up with a pig farmer. Jews weren’t allowed to eat pork. They steered clear of them and certainly wouldn’t want to eat with them. This was rock bottom. Do you think he got there by coincidence?
Rock bottom is what it sometimes takes for a Christian who has turned away from God to go back to the Father, where they belong. Getting to this point sometimes feels like maybe God is the one who turned away, like He stopped loving us because of our sin. In truth, it’s the opposite. Rock bottom is meant to be a turning point to bring us back to renewed life—which is exactly what the prodigal son received.
What about the older son? He never left the Father’s side. That doesn’t mean he’s incapable of sinning. He receives a lesson just like the younger son, only his is in the form of a gentle reprimand. The Bible doesn’t say how he responded but I’d like to think he recognized his sin and changed his way of thinking.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the story.
Andrea Boyd 