Year 2023 is now over, which reminds us of the swiftness of time and the brevity of life. As each calendar year ends, so each life ends with giving up its last breath. Then, what is the proper subject we should think about in this somewhat nostalgic and emotional time of the year? After all, as the Preacher says, it must be appropriate for us to remember God our Creator. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” While I was having these thoughts, the story of the prodigal son came into my mind. We all are like him, and there must be a time for us to return to God with a spirit of repentance. Before we embrace a new year with new resolutions, we want to return to the Father’s bosom for restoration and joy. 

The story of the prodigal son is well-known not only to the Christians but also to non-Christians. Christians relate the story to sinner’s repentance or love of God, and they often fail to relate it to themselves. The prodigal son is simply viewed as a sinner, the Father as God, and the elder brother as hypocrites like Pharisees. 

My story must begin with a work of Rembrandt. I refer you to his painting known as “the Return of the Prodigal Son.” You can view at the link (https://www.rembrandtpaintings.com/images/paintings/the-return-of-the-prodigal-son.jpg). The story of the prodigal son is found in Luke 15:11-32. This story is also known as the parable of the lost son, because his father says at the end of the story, “[he] was lost, and is found” (cf. v. 24). One of Rembrandt’s (1606-1669) finals works was the Return of the Prodigal Son. Though I am not sure of the exact time, it was likely completed within two years of his death in 1669. It depicts the moment of the prodigal son’s return to his father.

The story of the Prodigal son is something like this. There was a man with two sons. The younger son said to his father, “Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me” (15:12). So the father divided what he had between them and gave a portion of it as he requested. Within the next few days, the younger son took everything given to him and left for a far country. He spent and squandered everything there on a life of debauchery. When he had spent everything, a severe famine came upon the land. To make ends meet, he went out to work at a farm, where he tended pigs. To fill his empty stomach, he even wanted to feed himself on the husks his pigs ate, but no one cared for his misery. No one was willing to give even the husks to him (15:16b). In the depth of despair, he came to himself [his senses] and realised that even his father’s hired servants were given enough food. In the meanwhile, he was dying of hunger in a strange land. He decided to return home. He said to himself in 15:18-19, “¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, ¹⁹ And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” So he left his place and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then, the son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no worthy to be called thy son” (15:21). But the father thought of him differently. He said to his servants, “²²Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: ²³ And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry. ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; and he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (15:22-24). After a long day of hard work, the elder son was on his way back. As he drew near the house, he heard music and dancing (15:25). He called one of his servants and asked him about the unusual sound from the father’s house. The servant answered him, “Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound” (15:27). The elder son was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to urge him to come in and join the party, but the elder son retorted to him, “²⁹Lo, 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” (15:29-30). The father said, “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” (15:31-32). 

[By now, I hope that you made the effort to look at Rembrandt’s painting]. Then, let me test your level of observation. Do you happen to remember how many characters were in the painting? How many people did you see? There are three major characters in the parable of the Prodigal Son – father and two sons. However, there are more characters in the painting. It is possible that those extra figures not directly related to the parable may have been borrowed from his earlier works. Their identities are debatable. In general, people think that the woman at the top left, barely visible, is likely the mother, the seated man in expensive clothing may be an advisor to the estate or a tax collector, and the standing man at centre is likely a servant. 

Rembrandt painted it in the last stage of his life. It could mean that it expresses his evocation of spirituality in the latter part of his life. It is possible that he had lots of remorse and regrets of life in heart and longed for forgiveness of his sins. There are many contrasts shown in the parable. It speaks of sinful mankind, unkind humanity, darkness of human existence in poverty and hunger, mercy, compassion, repentance, refuge for weary souls, and homecoming. The story begins with darkness and coldness and ends with warmth and gladness. I hope that this parable will eventually warm our hearts and melt them into the mercies of God. 

Henri Nouwen wrote in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son, as following: “All the Rembrandt biographers describe him as a proud young man, strongly convinced of his own genius and eager to explore everything the world has to offer; an extrovert who loves luxury and is quite insensitive toward those about him. There is no doubt that one of Rembrandt’s main concerns was money. He made a lot, he spent a lot, and he lost a lot. A large part of his energy was wasted in long, drawn – out court cases about financial settlements and bankruptcy proceedings. The self-portraits painted during his late twenties and early thirties reveal Rembrandt as a man hungry for fame and adulation, fond of extravagant costumes, preferring golden chains to the traditional starched white collar, and sporting outlandish hats, berets, helmets, and turbans” (New York: Doubleday, 1994, p. 37). 

To be continued….

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