Coming Home

Luke 15: 11-32: "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. 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 fathers 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. 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: 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 music 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. 28) And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated 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." (KJV)

This was a parable that Jesus told to the publicans and sinners along with the Pharisees and scribes.

Jesus spoke of a man who had two sons. One day the younger son decided he was tired of farm life. Tired of doing chores and being held back in life. The young man had probably thought it over for quite some time. Like some of the young people today, he probably said to himself, "I’m tired of being bossed around. I don’t need anyone. I know as much, if not more, as they do! I’m tired of them always bossing me around. Take out the trash, mow the lawn, feed the animals, chop some wood. They don’t pay me nearly enough! Always being compared to my big brother and coming up short. I’m going to stand on my own two feet! I’m my own man! I’m going to go out on my own and make my own way. I’ll show them! They’ll be sorry when I’m gone. They’ll look foolish when I’m a big success and they’re still living in this farm!"

So the young man went to his father and told his father of his intentions. His mother is probably angry at first and thinks the young man is bluffing. When she realizes he is serious she probably cries and begs him not to do such a foolish thing. His father probably says something to the effect, "Son, now you know that I need you around the farm. What am I going to do if you leave? Won’t you please reconsider?"

The young man is persistent and asks for his portion of the inheritance. The father sadly gives what is due him and the young man leaves a few days later.