The Prodigal Son

Luke 15 recounts the parable of the Prodigal Son.

In this story, also known as the Parable of the Lost Son, Jesus responds to the Pharisees' complaint: "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Jesus tells the story of a man with two sons. The younger brother asks his father for his portion of the family estate as an early inheritance. The son then sets off on a long journey and begins to waste his fortune on wild living. As he runs out of money, a severe famine strikes the country and the son finds himself destitute. He takes a job feeding pigs and even longs to eat the pigs' food.

The young man finally recognizes his foolishness and decides to return to his father and ask for forgiveness. The father receives his son back with open arms and compassion. He is overjoyed by the return of his lost son and turns to his servants and asks them to prepare a giant celebratory feast.

The older son is unhappy when he comes in from working the fields and discovers the party celebrating his brother's return. The father tells the older brother, "You are always with me, and everything I have is yours."

The father in this story is like our heavenly Father, the Creator of man. The Creator waits for the return of the Prodigal Son. The kingdom of the Lord is waiting, and the Creator is patient - the Creator must be patient. No matter how disobedient and offensive the creation is, there is always a chance to change their ways and return to the Creator. The reuniting of Creator and creation will always be a joyous feast. Forgiveness is the key - forgiveness is essential - it is never too late to return. Come back to me and I will forgive you - this is what He says.