Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11. And He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, you must now give me the part of the property that belongs to me.’ And he divided the property between them. 13. And after not many days, once he had collected everything, the younger son went on a journey to a far away country and there he squandered his wealth living dissolutely. 14. And, after he spent everything freely, a severe famine came throughout that country, and he began to be lacking. 15. And then he went and was joined with one of the citizens of that country, who then sent him into his fields to feed pigs, 16. and he was desiring to be filled with the carob pods which the pigs were eating, but no one was giving him any. 17. And then he came to himself and said, ‘How many hired hands of my father abound in food, but I am dying here in a famine. 18. When I get up I shall go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I sinned against heaven and before you, 19. I am no longer worthy to be called your son: you must make me as one of your hired hands.’” 20. Then after he got up he went to his own father. And while he was still a great distance away his father saw him and was sympathetic and then he ran and fell upon his neck and kissed him. 21. And his son said to him, ‘Father, I sinned against heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22. But his father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, you must right away bring out the best long robe and you must immediately put it on him, then give him a ring for his hand and sandals on his feet, 23. and bring the fattened calf. You must now kill it, then, after we eat, we could rejoice, 24. because this my son was dead, but he came to life again. He was lost, but has been found, and they began to rejoice.

These Parables about the Lost being found and brought into the fold give us some idea of our Heavenly Father’s concern about each one of us. Your Heavenly Father cares about you!

Prodigal Son’s Brother

Luke 15:25. “But his older son was in a field: and when he was coming, as he neared the house, he heard music and dancing, 26. and when he summoned one of the servants he asked whatever these things might be. 27. And he said to him that ‘Your brother has come, and your father killed the fattened calf, because he recovered him healthy.’ 28. But he was angry and was not wanting to enter and when his father came out he was urging him. 29. And he said to his father, ‘Look how many years I have been serving you and never did I neglect your command and never did you give me a goat so that I could rejoice with my friends: 30. but when this your son came, who had eaten up your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened bull for him.’ 31. And he said to him, ‘Child, you have always been with me, and all my things are yours: 32. but it is necessary to rejoice and to be glad because this your brother was dead and he lives, and though he was lost now he is found.’”

Now the theme of this Parable is Forgiveness! See article “Unforgivable Sins” in the chapter “Are You In or Out.” See “Sin, Forgiveness of” in Glossary.