The Prodigal Son, Lazarus & "Let the Children Come to Me"

The Prodigal Son

Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners and began teaching them in parables. He told a parable about a man with two sons. The younger son asked his father if he could have his inheritance, so his father divided his property between his two sons. The younger son gathered his belongings within a few days and journeyed far away. He lived recklessly and wasted his property. A famine came to the land when he had wasted all he had. By that time, he was poor, so he went to a man from the country and got a job. The man had him feed his pigs. He was so hungry that he wanted to eat the food that he gave the pigs, but no one fed him anything.

He came to his senses and thought about how much better his father's servants lived than he did. He was convinced he would die from hunger. He decided he would go home. He would tell his father he had sinned against him and beg to be hired as a servant. He was approaching his father's home and was a long way off when his father saw him. As soon as his father laid eyes on him, he ran to him and kissed him. The young man said that he was not worthy of being called his father's son. His father told a servant to bring his best robe and put it on his son, and to put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. The father ordered a calf to be killed so that they could have a feast. He rejoiced, saying that his son had been dead but was now alive. They began to celebrate.

The older son was in the field when he came close to the house; he heard the feast going on inside with music and dancing. He asked one of the servants what was happening. The servant answered that his brother had come home, and his father had received him back. The older son was angry and refused to go to the feast. His father came out and begged him to join them. He replied that he had served his father all these years and always obeyed him, but he was never given a young goat. He complained that when his brother came home after wasting all his money on prostitutes, his father welcomed him and gave him a feast. The father responded that his older son had always been with him, and everything he had was his. He explained that his older son's brother had returned, and it was good to celebrate and be happy. He pointed out that his older son's brother had been dead, but now he was alive. He had been lost in the world, but now he was found.

Lazarus

Lazarus of Bethany was sick. This was the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This was the same Mary who had anointed Jesus' feet when He ate with the Pharisees. Lazarus was Mary's sister. Mary sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. When Jesus heard the news, He said that the sickness would not end in death. The illness was for the glory of God so that God's Son might be glorified in it. Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. When He found out that Lazarus was sick, Jesus stayed where He was for two more days. It was only about two miles from Bethany. Jesus then told His disciples to come with Him to Judea. They cautioned Jesus that the Jews that had wanted to stone Him were waiting for Him there. Jesus asked them if there were twelve hours in a day. Jesus remarked that one who walked in the daytime would not fall down because of the light; it was when one walked at night that one would fall because there was no light. Jesus stated that Lazarus had fallen asleep, and He needed to wake him. The disciples responded that if he had fallen asleep, he would wake up and be fine. Jesus was talking about death, but they thought He meant sleep. Jesus then revealed to them that Lazarus had died, but He was glad Lazarus had died so they would believe. Thomas said they should also go so that they could die with him.

Bethany was close to Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to see Martha and Mary to console them. Martha met Jesus when He arrived. Mary stayed in the house. Martha told Jesus that if He had come sooner, He could have saved Lazarus. She said that if He asked God, God would grant whatever He asked. Jesus promised her that her brother would rise again. She replied that she knew that Lazarus would rise on the day of resurrection. Jesus answered her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26, ESV®).

Jesus came to Lazarus's tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was placed against it. Jesus instructed them to remove the stone. Martha warned Jesus that it would smell bad since Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus assured Martha that if she believed, she would see the glory of God. They removed the stone, and Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and thanked God, His Father, for hearing Him. Jesus said this so that the people standing nearby would know who had sent Him. Jesus cried out in a loud voice for Lazarus to come out. Lazarus came out of the tomb. His hands and feet were tied with cloth strips, and his face had been wrapped in cloth. Jesus ordered them to untie him and let him go.

The Children

People began bringing children to Jesus. They were even bringing infants so that Jesus would touch them. When the disciples saw this, they scolded the people. Jesus called to His disciples and said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it" (Luke 18:16-17).

Jesus Prophesies His Death Again

As Jesus and His disciples were traveling to Jerusalem, He said to them that everything that was written about the Messiah would happen. He would be given to the Gentiles (people who were not Jews). People would make fun of Him, treat Him disrespectfully, and spit on Him. They would whip Him severely and then kill Him. On the third day after being killed, He would rise. The disciples did not understand what Jesus was telling them.

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

Jesus and the disciples were in Jericho. Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. He heard Jesus and began to beg Jesus to have mercy on him. Many of the people scolded him and ordered him to be quiet. Jesus stopped and asked for the man to be called over to Him. They instructed the man to get up and be happy because Jesus was summoning him. Jesus asked him what he wanted. He replied that he was blind and wanted to see. Jesus told him to go on his way. He was immediately healed.

Summary

Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son, a son who left home and took his inheritance early. He used all of his inheritance, and when he returned home, his father greeted him and held a banquet. Jesus' friend Lazarus became ill and died. Jesus delayed responding. Then, Jesus went to Lazarus and brought him back to life. Many children gathered around Jesus, and His disciples tried sending them away. Jesus commanded them to let the children come to Him because the kingdom of heaven belonged to them. Jesus described events that would occur when He died. Jesus healed Bartimaeus, a blind beggar.

Application and Reflection

Application

The prodigal son left home and used up his inheritance. Despite this, his father welcomed him back with a great feast. This parable shows how God rejoices when a sinner returns to Him and seeks reconciliation. We should return to God when we have fallen away as sinners. He will gladly welcome us back.

Reflection

Lazarus became ill and died. Jesus said that He was glad He had waited because He could use Lazarus's death and resurrection to show God's glory. We never know what God will use for His purposes, but we must be faithful and remember that any situation may be for His higher plan.