Grahame Walker

I will not use the parables most common name: The Prodigal Son. It is not right to single out one of the sons as the sole focus of the story. Jesus starts the parable, “a man had two sons”. The narrative is as much about the elder brother as the younger and as much about the father as the sons. The parable might be better called the two lost sons. The over emphasis on one son misses a real important point; both brothers are alienated from God. Our parable is found as one of three stories Jesus told about lostness. They are introduced to us at the beginning of chapter fifteen in the Gospel of Luke. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2)