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.
The older brother may have knew of the young mans plans and may have even tried to talk him out of it. Or the older brother may have been glad to see the young man leave. He would then get the house, the land, the animals, and everything else belonging to the family business.
The young man left and went to another country. The big city. There bars, strip tease clubs, massage parlors, hookers, drugs, alcohol, and all the friends his money could buy. One party after another. Everything a country could never imagine but always wanted to try!
It must have been one good time, that is, till the money was gone. Then the friends dissappeared because the drugs, booze, and party dissappeared. All was gone. There was nothing left.
A famine arose in the country. Food prices rose dramatically. The young man had no job and so he couldn’t afford to eat. Had no place to stay.
So the young man found a job feeding some farmers pigs. Little or no wages and long, long hours. He was so worked and tired that even the slop he fed the pigs looked good to eat!
Then something happened to the young man. He began to remember life back home. How good he had had it. How easy life had been. There was food a plenty back home. Why even the servants had plenty to eat. The young man must have said to himself, "How stupid I’ve been! Why was I so dumb as to leave home. I had it made at home. And look how I’ve ruined my life. I have sinned against heaven and the Lord God of heaven. Living like a dog. All my bills were paid. My mother washed all my clothes. I didn’t have a care in the world."
So the young man left the country and headed back home. As he went on his way, he planned what he would say. He was more amtured now and he would take responsibility for his actions. He’d ask his father for a job and work with the hired men.
When his father saw him coming the old man was filled with joy. The man ran out ot meet his son and hugged him and kissed him. His little boy had come home.
The young man must have choked back tears as he began his planned speech. "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son....." Gasping as tears fell from his eyes.
"No.", his father said. "Bring my son some new clothes and shoes. A golden ring for his finger. Kill the fatted calf and prepare a feast for him! My son is back home where he belongs!"
God feels the same way about you and me. No matter if we have asked Christ into our hearts and have strayed away. Or if we have never trusted in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. God loves you.
John 3:16 tells us that, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Whosoever believes. That’s anyone. All you have to do is believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross to take the punishment for your sins. Mark 16:16 tells us, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, he that believeth not shall be damned."
No matter what you have done in your life, there is nothing that God will not forgive from. Absolutely nothing. Like the father in this story, God is waiting with open arms to welcome you back to his family right now.
If you are a Christian who has fallen away from God, Christ is ready to welcome you back into His fold. All you must do is ask Him.
Pray, if you have never trusted in Christ, a prayer like this, "Christ Jesus, I am sorry for the sinful life I have led. I want you to come into my heart and be my Lord and Saviour. I place all my trust in you. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen."
If you have prayed this prayer and meant it, you are assured of everlasting life and a home in heaven. Begin studying the Bible, associate yourself with a Bible teaching church, and pray often.
