The Prodigal Son

Jesus told this parable to illustrate God's love for sinners after the Pharisees criticized Him for eating with tax collectors and sinners. A man had two sons, and the younger one demanded his share of the estate—essentially wishing his father dead. The father granted his request, dividing his property between them. The younger son gathered everything and set off for a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.

After spending everything, a severe famine struck the country, and the son found himself in desperate need. He hired himself out to a citizen who sent him to feed pigs—work that was utterly degrading for a Jewish man. He was so hungry he longed to fill his stomach with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. He had hit rock bottom.

In his misery, the son came to his senses. He realized that even his father's hired servants had food to spare while he was starving. He decided to return home and confess his sin, saying, '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 servants.' He rehearsed this speech as he made the long journey home, preparing to beg for the position of a mere servant.

But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. The son began his prepared speech, but the father wasn't interested in conditions or servanthood. Instead, he called 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.'

The celebration was in full swing when the older son returned from the field. Hearing music and dancing, he asked what was happening. When told that his brother had returned and his father was celebrating, he became angry and refused to go in. The father came out and pleaded with him, but the older son protested: 'All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

The father's response revealed his heart: 'My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' The parable ends with this invitation to the older brother—and to all self-righteous religious people—to share in the father's joy over restored relationship rather than nursing bitterness and pride.