The Prodigal Son

Luke 15: 11 – 24 (NIV): Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

This has been a favorite story ever since Jesus told it because it is a beautiful picture of a loving father who wants all of his children to be home and safe – to be saved. The Bible says we all like sheep have gone astray. We are all like this son trying to find our own way, using and squandering the blessings that God has given us. But one day, if we are wise, we will realize that true joy is right back at home – not in some distant land or exotic lifestyle. We realize that life without the Father is life in a pigpen, starving, and eating the pigs' leftovers.

The son does one thing right: he comes home with a humble attitude. He realizes he is not worthy to be his father's son any longer, but comes anyway, asking for mercy, hoping he still loved him. The father's response? He puts a robe on him to show him honor, a ring on his finger to represent his authority, and sandals on his feet, which means he recognized him as a son.

The most beautiful part of this story to me is how the father sat on the porch and watched for his son's return, and when he did, he ran out and met him. God is watching for our return and will run out to kiss and embrace us no matter where we've been.