The Prodigal Son Parable as a Model for Church Inclusion
The parable of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:11-32, illustrates God's readiness to receive and welcome repentant sinners, even those who have strayed significantly [8]. This parable, along with others like the lost sheep and the lost coin, emphasizes the joy in heaven over the conversion of sinners [8]. While the parable primarily focuses on God's grace and the individual's repentance, its implications extend to understanding inclusion within the church community.
The narrative describes a younger son who demands his inheritance, leaves home, and squanders his wealth in "riotous living" [8]. When famine strikes and he finds himself in destitution, he decides to return to his father, rehearsing a confession of unworthiness. His father, however, sees him from a distance and runs to embrace him, restoring him to a place of honor with a robe, ring, and sandals, and celebrating with a feast [8]. This immediate and unconditional welcome by the father serves as a model for how God receives those who turn to Him. Matthew Henry notes that the parable "much more largely and fully set forth the riches of gospel grace" than other parables, providing "unspeakable use to poor sinners, both to direct and to encourage them in repenting and returning to God" [8].
The church, as the body of Christ, is called to reflect this divine welcome. The New Testament frequently uses the metaphor of the body to describe the church, emphasizing unity amidst diversity [1, 6]. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:12, "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." This concept highlights that the church is composed of "many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God" [1]. John Gill elaborates that these "many members" are "of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service," yet they "all make up but one complete body" [2].
This understanding of the church as a unified body with diverse members implies a call to inclusion. There is "no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28) [4]. This unity in Christ means that "everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way" [4]. The church is meant to be a place where differences are transcended by allegiance to Jesus as Lord, resulting in "peace (harmonious relationships)" [3]. The emphasis is on the collective identity as "the body of Christ" [4].
The parable's conclusion, with the older brother's resentment, further illuminates the challenges and responsibilities of inclusion within a community. The older brother, who had remained faithful, struggles to accept his father's lavish welcome of his prodigal sibling. This aspect of the parable can be seen as a caution against an exclusive spirit within the church, reminding believers to extend grace and welcome to those who return, rather than judging their past [8]. The church is called to be a "unified body" where "harmony and care for each other... is essential" [5]. Just as the father rejoiced over his lost son's return, the church is encouraged to celebrate the repentance and inclusion of all who come to Christ [8]. The church is built upon Christ, becoming a "holy temple for the Lord" where the Lord himself is present among his people [7].
Sources
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 15:11: We have here the parable of the prodigal son, the scope of which is the same with those before, to show how pleasing to God the conversion of sinners is, of great sinners, and how ready he is to receive and entertain such, upon their repentance; but the circumstances of the parable do much more largely and fully set forth the riches of gospel grace than those did, and it has been, and will be while the world stands, of unspeakable use to poor sinners, both to direct and to encourage them in repenting and returning to God. Now, I. The parable represents God as a com”