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The teaching of the prodigal son is a well-known parable found in the Bible, Luke 15:11-32. It’s a powerful teaching that illustrates the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the boundless love of a Father for his wayward son. In the parable, Jesus is addressing the religious elites. He wants them to understand that including the downcast in no way reduces God’s love for them. The parable also addresses us. It is not just about God’s forgiveness but our treatment of sinners and the marginalized. Once, there was a man who had two sons. The younger of the two approached his father one day and said, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” In Jewish tradition, this request was highly unusual and disrespectful as it essentially meant the younger son wished his father were dead so he could inherit his portion of family’s wealth. However, the father out of love for his son divided his property between the two sons. The younger son received his share of the inheritance and set off for a distant country. There he squandered his wealth in wild living leading a life of luxury and indulgence. He made friends with those who had no concern for his well-being and spent his money recklessly. Eventually, a severe famine struck the land and the young man found himself in dire circumstances. He had spent all his money, and there was nothing left. He was starving and in need of help. In his desperate state, he took a job feeding pigs, a task that was considered among the lowest of the low for a Jewish person.
As he laboured in the pigsty, the young man 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 to his father, confess his sins, and ask for forgiveness. He hoped that his father would at least allow him to work as a servant on the family estate. With a heavy heart and humility, the prodigal son began the journey back to his father’s house. He prepared the words he would say. “Father, I have sinned against you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son, make me like one of your hired servants.” While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him coming, filled with compassion and love, the father ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. The son began his prepared speech, but his father interrupted calling to his servants to bring the finest robe, a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet, he ordered a feast to be prepared to celebrate his son’s return. Meanwhile, the elder son who had remained faithfully and responsible, was working in the fields. He heard the sounds of celebration and asked a savant what was happening. Learning of his brother’s return, he became angry and refused to join the festivities. The father went to his elder son and pleaded with him to come inside and celebrate. He reassured him of his love and explained that 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 story of the prodigal son reminds us of God’s boundless love and forgiveness. It emphasized that no matter how far we may have strayed or how many mistakes we have made there is always a path to redemption and reconciliation with a loving God. It also challenges us to be compassionate and forgiving toward others. Luke 15:7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”