In American Society today, there exists a feeling that those who have transgressed, whether against individuals, family members, or society at large, need to be held responsible for their actions. The more severe the transgression, the more severe the punishment. It is not unheard of in these times, for example, that a parent may let his or her child spend a few nights in jail in order to "teach them a lesson". Even if the child seems to understand the severity of his or her actions, and shows regret for these actions, punishment may still be dealt out in the name of "tough love". In The Parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus seems to suggest that punishment is unnecessary for those who have redeemed themselves.
The two sons in this story represent several easily recognizable character traits still found in people to this day. The older son is a hard working, responsible, obedient man who expects that someday his discipline and sacrifice will pay off. Although not specifically mentioned in this short parable, it can be assumed that his share of his father's inheritance was squirreled away, to be prudently used only when needed. The younger son, in contrast, takes his half of the inheritance and squanders it with "riotous living" (Luke 15:13) and "living with harlots" (Luke 15:30). The younger son is reckless and brash, without a care for the consequences, and soon discovers the fate that befalls such irresponsible behavior, returning home destitute. Jesus, through this parable, challenges us to consider the correct response to the prodigal son.
With today's morals and sense of responsibility, the elder son would be heralded as the "ideal son" -- someone who is frugal, reliable, and stable. The younger son, however, might be called the "black sheep" of the family -- tolerated because of bloodlines, easily dismissed, and held up as a bad example to the younger members of the family. The younger son would not be easily re-accepted by his family without first paying some kind of penance, regardless of his confessed remorse. In this parable, the prodigal son's self-decided punishment of apology and servitude to his father would not seem unreasonable. However, he is unconditionally accepted by his father, without punishment. His father is so overjoyed to have his son back that he throws a celebration in his son's honor, which offends his dependable older son's sense of right and wrong.
This complete forgiving by the father may be hard to accept, unless one considers that the prodigal son, according to the parable, has already been redeemed. "And when he came to himself..." (Luke 15:17) suggest that the prodigal son, after a time of starvation and lowliness, realizes on his own what he must do, and he is willing finally to accept responsibility. When the father states "For this my son was dead, and is alive again: and was lost, and is found" (Luke 15:24), he may have been saying that the son was lost within himself, not lost to the father, and that his son has found himself. This would suggest that the father recognizes that his son has redeemed himself on his own, and as this parable seems to be saying, the prodigal son does not require further discipline.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son raises an important question about the proper punishment for a redeemed sinner, but never properly answers that question itself, perhaps on purpose. It is certainly comforting, for those who have fallen, to know that they can expect little or no retribution for their actions if they show regret. A problem with the father's solution to his wayward son, however, is that it may encourage this very type of behavior to continue in others who decide there is no consequence to their actions, as long as they repent, or pretend to repent, in the end. In this parable, it is easy to see that the prodigal son has been redeemed, and deserves compassion from his father. However, judging the salvation of an actual person is never as simple.
By Matthew R. King
"The Parable of the Prodigal Son". Bible, King James Version. Luke 15:11-32.
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