The Parable of the Prodigal Son

“I wanted to tell you a story…” A man had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the inheritance that belongs to me.” So the father divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had, and went to a far country. There, he wasted everything—living recklessly. When he had spent it all, a severe famine hit that land, and he began to be in need.

He hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into the fields to feed pigs. He longed to eat the pods the pigs were eating—but no one gave him anything. Then he came to himself and said, “How many of my father’s servants have food to spare—and I’m here starving! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.’”

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. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. The son began to  speak: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.

Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s eat and celebrate! For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found!” And they began to celebrate. Now the older son was in the field. When he came near the house and heard music and dancing, he asked one of the servants what was going on. The servant said, “Your brother has come home—and your father has killed the fattened calf because he’s received him back safe and sound.”

But the older brother was angry—and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. He answered, “Look, all these years I’ve served you and never disobeyed your command.
Yet you never gave me even a young goat to celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours returns—who wasted your money—you throw him a feast!” The father said, “Son, you are always  with me—and all that I have is yours. But it was right for us to celebrate, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost—and is found.” (This story is found in Luke 15:11–32.)

“Let Me explain what this story means…” You may think you’ve gone too far. You may think you’ve wasted too much. But My Father is waiting—and He runs to meet the repentant. No speech can earn your way back. You don’t have to impress Him. Just turn around—and come home. And if you’ve stayed close all along—don’t let pride close your heart. The Father’s joy is not divided—it’s  multiplied. He rejoices when the lost return. Because in His house… there is grace for both sons.

“My parables matter because they reveal the Kingdom.” I didn’t speak these stories on My own. In John 12:49–50, I said: “For I have not spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that His commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak.”
This story came from the Father—because His heart is full of mercy, restoration, and celebration.

And in Matthew 24:35, I said: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” So whether you’re the younger son who ran… or the older son who stood outside… The Father is calling you in.