non-Mormons, how do you interpret this?

Question

Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Professor, I'm Christian also. We Mormons DO believe the Bible to be the word of God. I do know this is the story of the prodigal son. I just want people's interpretation of THOSE PARTICULAR verses.

Answer 1

This is from the parable of the Prodigal Son. You've picked up where the elder son wants to know why his father is throwing a party. Of course, the father is celebrating his younger son's return home after squandering his inheritance. The older brother is jealous and claims to have always done his father's will without reward. The father admonishes his eldest son to rejoice over the lost brother who was restored to the family.

The father in the parable is God. The eldest son has two applications, the Pharisees whom Jesus was speaking to, and Israel in general. The youngest son also has two applications, the sinners with whom Jesus ate and whom He taught, and the gentiles who had followed after other gods and would be restored to God through Jesus.

The Pharisees were self-righteous and not happy about the repentance of others. The Israelites were not at all happy about salvation being extended to the gentiles.

There is an application to us both in that God forgives us as the Father forgave the prodigal son, but there is also an admonition not to be self-righteous and merciless toward those we consider sinners.

Though the son, and by extension the Pharisees and Israel, claimed to have always obeyed God, we know from their history that they did not. Israel many times fell into idolatry and Jesus often pointed out that the Pharisees were hypocritical and had left the weightier matters of the law.

We, too, can become hypocritical and feel that we deserve God's blessings and "those sinners" deserve His wrath. That attitude keeps us from enjoying our great blessings in God and is ultimately displeasing to Him.

Answer 2

Now, the younger son was disobedient to the father. He left home and lead an immoral lifetsyle. He later realized his mistake and returned home. The father was so happy that he celebrated the return of his son. The older brother became jealous because he had always remained obedient to his father, yet his father had never rejoiced for him.
This was an illustration Jesus gave, to explain the happiness of our heavenly Father when one of us strays from doing His will, but later on repents, and returns.
Jesus had also given another illustration very similar to this one, about how a shephard had 100 sheep and lost one of them. So he left the 99 to go look for the 1 that was lost. That doesn't mean he didn't care for the 99, but realized that the lost one needed a little bit more care and attention at the moment.

Answer 3

The last verse kind of threw me because it wasn't the son who said it it was the father. The parable is speaking of our relationship with God. We go off and do our own thing and find ourselves in horrible condition but when we return to God he comes running and celebrating that we have returned. The other bother did not understand this for he thought his brother had out sinned forgiveness. And no this parable isn't saying Jesus has a brother it's teaching a lesson about the forgiveness of the father.

Answer 4

This is the story of the prodigal son.
But it is an allegory about all people who are saved and fall away into foolishness.
When they come to their senses..God is pleased to restore them to their rightful position.

Answer 5

"You shall not make for yourself any idol."
Who is God to you? Is he only a god of love and mercy who would never judge anyone and never cast anyone into Hell? If that's your god, then you're right. Your god couldn't cast anyone into Hell because he doesn't exist. He's a figment of your imagination. You've created a god in your own mind that you're more comfortable with. You may call it your "personal belief," but God calls it idolatry. It's the oldest sin in the Book, and the Bible warns that idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Answer 6

This is the parable of the prodigal son. I was taught that it means that God will always forgive us as long as we truly repent for our sins, and try not to do them again. As humans, of course, we will sin, intentionally and unintentionally, but God is always willing and ready to forgive us.

Answer 7

I'm Christian, not mormon and that's the story of the Prodgical Son. Basicly that no matter how badly you've messed up, God will forgive you and give you another chance

Answer 8

Mmmm....I have to admit, it's been a while since I've read up on the Bible stories.

All I know, is they are killing a baby cow....and that just doesn't seem right. I'm sure there were adult cows somewhere. :(

Answer 9

Like this:

"Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." -- Luke 15:7

Answer 10

It basically says that God will forgive you and will recieve you even if you messed up.