Why did the father of the prodigal son celebrate his homecoming?

Answer 1

Hunger

Answer 2

The father welcomed the younger son home and had a party for him, but the older son thought the younger son should be punished for what he did.

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The brother who remained with his father in the Prodigal Son was initially dismayed by the treatment afforded to his brother upon his return because he was the "good" son and he had never been rewarded as his brother, the "bad" son had been.

Answer 3

The father had welcomed back the prodigal son (whom had squandered his money and lived an immoral life) in grand fashion because he had repented, seen the mistakes he had made, and returned home. The older son felt jealous and 'hard done by' since he had lived rightly and been faithful and had never been given a similar reward even when he was the more faithful child.

Another perspective:

The older son of the parable also represents the Jews, and his reaction represents their jealousy and resentment toward the Gentiles (the younger son), whom God (the father) was preparing to welcome back "into the fold" by repentance,faith, and obedience (the younger son pleading only to be made as a servant), even though they had previously spurned Him and been "far away." When the father welcomed back the prodigal, the elder son's "exclusive relationship" was over, thus his jealousy.

Answer 4

He, like many of the young people today who want to leave home and find their own way, realize that they had it pretty good at home. The young man from the prodical son story had been reduced to eating the same food as the pigs that he was feeding. He knew that if he went home, even as a worker, he would be better taken care of than he was at the pig farm.

Answer 5

I think he would welcome back his son because he loves him no matter what. Even though his son disobeyed him, and spent all his share of his father's inheritance, his father still accepted him back home. The father was happy his son was alive and well as he was completely unaware of his son's whereabouts and health. The father did not care that he had spent all his money, and did not do as he promised.

"He was lost, and is found, he was dead and has risen" his father proclaimed when he was home, because he loved him so much and didn't worry about what had happened. That was my assignment's question so i hope that helps answer your question/s!

Another Thought:

Perhaps one of the best known parables in The Bible, there is a message here for each and every human being from the Father of all of us.

Some humans need to find out the hard way and rebel at any authority telling us otherwise. So it was with this one rebellious son who wanted to 'party' now - live for today. The other son remained loyal and obedient to his father. The misguided son soon found out the error of his ways and wanted to try to return to his father, sensing he messed up big time and reasoned he could become a servant - at least he would eat and live.

The father, worried over his 'lost' child, not knowing if he lived or was well, saw him coming a ways away. He rejoiced at the sight of his lost child. The son asked to become a servant but the father, overwhelmed with joy by his son coming to his senses (repentance), orders a celebration as his child was lost but now is found, was dead but is alive again. There really is 'no place like home' and we humans were born to find our way home again to our Eternal loving Father.

The Bible tells us that all the angels in heaven shout for joy at the repentance of one sinner. Indeed, the entire physical universe mourns and awaits the 'rebirth' of God's children - born again. An uniquely brilliant future awaits all who repent, get baptized and follow the 'Perfect' Son, Jesus Christ. The choice is ours.

Another thought:

I think this parable is often misinterpreted.

People often say this parable is about sinners repenting. But if you look at the context of the parable you will see this parable is one of three Jesus told in reply to the Pharisees and scribes complaining saying ................ "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." Luke 15:2.

The father in the parable represents God. The youngest son represents Israel and the oldest son represents the Pharisees and the scribes. Jesus was calling the nation of Israel to repent and turn to God. The parables of The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Son all refer to the nation of Israel.

Matthew 15:24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Matthew Henry says:

"...The parable of the prodigal son shows the nature of repentance, and the LORD's readiness to welcome and bless all who return to Him. It fully sets forth the riches of gospel grace; and it has been, and will be, while the world stands, of unspeakable use to poor sinners, to direct and encourage them in repenting and returning to God.

It is bad, and the beginning of worse, when men look upon God's gifts and debts due to them. The great folly of sinners, and that which ruins them, is , being content with their life-time to receive their good things.

Our first parents ruined themselves and all their race, by foolish ambition to be independent, and this is at the bottom of sinner's persisting in their sin.

We may all discern some features of our own characters in that of the prodigal son.

A sinful state is a wanting state. Sinners want necessaries for their souls; they have neither food nor raiment for them, nor any provision for hereafter.

A sinful state is a vile, slavish state. The business of the devil's servant is to make provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof, and that is no better than feeding swine.

A sinful state is a state of constant discontent. The wealth of the world and the pleasures of the senses will not even satisfy our bodies; but what are they to precious souls!

A sinful state is a state which cannot look for relief from any creature. In vain do we cry to the world and to the flesh; they have that which will poison a soul, but have nothing to give which will feed and nourish it.

A sinful state is a state of death. A sinner is dead in trespasses and sins, destitute of spiritual life.

A sinful state is a lost state. Souls that are separated from God, if His Mercy prevent not, will soon be lost for ever. The prodigal son's wretched state, only faintly shadows forth the awful ruin of man by sin. Yet how few are sensible of their own state and character!

"Having viewed the prodigal in his abject state of misery, we are next TO CONSIDER HIS RECOVERY FROM IT. This begins by his coming to himself... THE LORD OPENS HIS EYES, and convinces him of sin; then he views himself and every object, in a different light from what he did before. Thus the convinced sinner perceives that the meanest servant of God is happier than he is.

TO LOOK UNTO GOD AS A FATHER, and OUR FATHER, will be of great use in our repentance and return to Him. The prodigal arose, nor stopped till he reached his home. Thus the repenting sinner resolutely quits the bondage of Satan and his lusts, and RETURNS TO GOD BY PRAYER, notwithstanding fears and discouragements.

THE LORD MEETS HIM WITH UNEXPECTED TOKENS OF HIS FORGIVING LOVE.

Again; THE RECEPTION OF THE HUMBLED SINNER IS LIKE THAT OF THE PRODIGAL. He is clothed in the robe of the Redeemer's Righteousness, made partaker of the Spirit of Adoption, prepared by peace of conscience and gospel grace to walk in the ways of Holiness, and feasted with Divine consolations..." (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: Luke 15:11-24; The prodigal son, his wickedness and distress, His repentance and pardon)

"...The MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD IN CHRIST, shine almost as bright as His tender and gentle bearing with peevish saints, as His perceiving PRODIGAL SINNERS upon their repentance. IT IS THE UNSPEAKABLE HAPPINESS OF ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD, WHO KEEP CLOSE TO THEIR FATHER'S HOUSE, that they are, AND SHALL BE EVER WITH HIM; Happy will it be FOR THOSE WHO THANKFULLY ACCEPT CHRIST'S INVITATION." (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: Luke 15:25-32; The elder brother offended)

Answer 6

the prodigal son left home because he wanted to get money for his family

Answer 7

When he has spent all his money and has nothing to eat he realises his fathers servants live better than him. So he decides to go back to his father and seek forgiveness.

Answer 8

Hunger