For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 

When most of us hear the story of the prodigal son, we usually pick a favorite character. Some focus on the younger son who ran away and came back. Others relate to the older brother who stayed and felt overlooked. And many admire the loving father who welcomes his son home. But what if the story isn’t complete when we only focus on those three?

Let’s dig deeper.

There are two characters almost everyone misses—yet they are central to the story:

1. Jesus, the narrator
2. Us, the listeners and readers

In other words, the story isn’t just about them. It’s about Him… and us.

What Was Jesus Thinking When He Told This Story?

Jesus never told parables randomly. Every word had intention. So, we should ask ourselves:
What was in the mind of Jesus when He told the story of the prodigal son?

This parable is bigger than family conflict. It’s about God’s love, human free will, rebellion, pride, and redemption.

In Luke 15:12, the younger son asks for his inheritance. The father gives it to him, and the son leaves. That moment matters. The son chooses to walk away. He uses his free will to chase independence, pleasure, and control.

But soon after, the Bible says a famine comes. That famine is more than a lack of food. It represents emptiness, pain, confusion, and spiritual dryness. It’s what happens when we leave the Father and expect life to still feel full.

Here’s the truth Jesus is revealing:
Life outside the Father always leads to famine.

We shouldn’t expect to experience the same peace, identity, and security away from God that we have with Him. Our true inheritance isn’t money, freedom, or success—it’s staying with the Father. Luke 15:15 says the son ends up eating pig’s food. That’s powerful. The moment we leave the Father, our emptiness begins. We start settling for things we were never created to consume.

A Message to the “Older Brothers”

Now let’s talk about the elder brother—the one many Christians represent. Jesus isn’t just speaking to the lost; He’s speaking to the religious. The older brother stayed home, followed the rules, and did “the right things.” But here’s the hard question:

Why didn’t he go looking for his brother?

Your brother rebelled.
Your brother walked away.
And you didn’t chase him.

Jesus is confronting us here.

If we truly believe all people are made in the image of God, why are we so comfortable watching them drift away? Free will doesn’t mean every choice leads to life. Love doesn’t stay silent.

It was the older brother’s responsibility to care enough to bring his brother back. The Father had servants. If the older brother had gone out with them—imagine that picture. In our context, those servants look like prayer, love, and evangelism. That would have pleased the Father even more. Sometimes we stay “close” to God physically but far from His heart.

So… Where Are You in This Story?

That’s the second big question: Where do you stand in this story?

If you’re not a Christian, hear this clearly:
The Father wants you back.

You may be alive, successful, or independent—but spiritually, you’re walking like an orphan. The Father is watching, waiting, and ready to run toward you. Luke 15:20 says it all.

Jesus wants you.
Not part of you.
All of you.

And if you are the older brother, this is your reminder:

Don’t be angry when the lost come home

Don’t feel entitled to what the Father gives

Don’t question God’s grace toward those who wandered

Jesus already told us—the last will be first, and the first will be last.

Final Thoughts

The prodigal son story isn’t meant to help us judge characters. It’s meant to help us see ourselves. At different seasons, we’ve all been the younger son. At other times, we’ve been the older brother. This story is not just history, it’s our story. And the good news is this: no matter where you are, the Father is still calling you home.

So, it is with us. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus left us His final command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This was not a suggestion but our shared assignment, His last charge to His people. And one day, the Master will descend again, as the Righteous Judge, to see how faithfully we have carried it out.

Beloved, the time is near. The trumpet will sound. The judge is at the door. Are you doing your assignment? Are you shining His light in the darkness?

Do not bury your portion of the gospel. The Kingdom needs your voice, your witness, and your obedience. Do not water down the flame placed within you.

Play your part. Preach the Word. Carry the good news. Let the name of Jesus resound through your life. Let the gospel not end with you, but flow through you.

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