Jesus was referring to Israel and Judah as the two sons. (Two kingdoms) both loved by the Father. One wayward, one stayed at home (Judah- Jeruslalem), one knew they were sinners, the other refused to acknowledge the other brother and was resentful.
Jesus told this parable and the Pharisees recongnised they were the first son in the parable. Remember Saul was a pHarisee who came to Jesus so its possible he was like the first son. The second son was like the publicans and sinners the Pharisees despised...anyone who wasnt as religious and faithful as they were. Yet the publicans and sinners came back to the Father.
Yes christians can interpret the parable to mean the born again reality of knowing our Father but that isnt really the context of the parable. It does speak of a spiritual reality though...Ultimately all of us who were drawn to the Father will be at some stage adopted into Gods family and become his sons/daughters.
Jesus told this parable and the Pharisees recongnised they were the first son in the parable. Remember Saul was a pHarisee who came to Jesus so its possible he was like the first son. The second son was like the publicans and sinners the Pharisees despised...anyone who wasnt as religious and faithful as they were. Yet the publicans and sinners came back to the Father.
Yes christians can interpret the parable to mean the born again reality of knowing our Father but that isnt really the context of the parable. It does speak of a spiritual reality though...Ultimately all of us who were drawn to the Father will be at some stage adopted into Gods family and become his sons/daughters.