The Prodigal Son

Jesus told this story to show how much God loves us — even when we make mistakes.

A father had two sons. One day the younger son said something hurtful: “Father, give me my share of the family money now. I don’t want to wait.” So the father divided everything and gave the young man his share.

The son packed up and traveled far away to a distant country. There he spent all his money foolishly — on parties, on nonsense, on friends who disappeared the moment the money ran out. Soon he had nothing left.

A famine swept the land, and the once-wealthy son grew so hungry that he took a job feeding pigs. He was so desperate that even the pigs’ food started to look good to him.

Sitting in the mud, he finally came to his senses. “Even my father’s servants have plenty to eat,” he thought, “and here I am starving. I’ll go home and tell my father I’m sorry. Maybe he’ll let me work as one of his servants.”

So he began the long walk home, rehearsing his apology.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. And the father didn’t wait. He didn’t fold his arms and frown. He ran — ran down the road, threw his arms around his ragged son, and hugged and kissed him.

“Father, I have sinned,” the son began. “I’m not worthy to be called your son—”

But the father was already calling to the servants: “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! Let’s have a feast and celebrate — for this son of mine was lost, and now he is found!”

That father is a picture of God. No matter how far we wander, God watches the road for us. And when we turn back, he doesn’t just forgive — he runs to meet us, and throws a party because we came home.