Let’s explore the parable of The Prodigal Son. A story teaching God’s love and forgiveness for all, even those who fall…
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
In the times of this lesson a father would leave his heirs an inheritance of his estate upon his death. There are times when the father would “retire” and divvy up the portions then. The share would be the eldest would receive the larger portion of the legacy, In this case there are two sons. The eldest would receive two thirds and the younger a third.
This situation would have been unusual because the younger requested his portion before the time.
So the father divided the shares among the boys and the younger left home to seek his “destiny”. While the elder brother remained working his father’s estate.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
After a while of foolish living the younger son was out of money. A severe famine filled the city where the younger son was living. He soon became hungry. Having no money he hired himself out to tend to the pigs. Here among the pigs he realized the pigs were being fed but he was starving. Then he thought, my father has many hired men and food to spare.
The young once arrogant boy had to face his father and ask for a job.
The boy was humiliated.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
But when the father saw his son coming home he was overjoyed. The father killed the fatted calf, prepared a feast for his son and restored him into the family by giving him the best robe, and putting a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
This reminds us that the Love of God goes beyond our comprehension. Even when we think we have the tiger by the tail and we know what we are doing God never loses His Love for us. He gives us the will to make mistakes
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
But how wonderful that when we come to the place where we realize we are hungry, we want to go home He is there with Loving arms for us. So no matter how long you have been “tending the pigs”, He is waiting for you. He has the best robe for you. He’s even prepared a place for you along with a feast.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
When the elder son questioned why the younger got special treatment the father said once he was dead and is now alive, lost and now found.
So my question to you is ….How hungry are you? The Father is waiting to welcome you back home.
I hope to see you there.
God Bless You
Aglow
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
