The Return of the Prodigal Son โ A Journey Back Home
This story is universal. Itโs about rebellion. Regret. Redemption. And maybe most importantlyโฆ grace. The prodigal will return.
Letโs begin with the story itself. Youโve probably heard it before โ maybe in church, maybe in literature, maybe from a parent trying to teach a lesson.
A man has two sons. One day, the younger son does something unthinkable: he demands his inheritance early. In essence, heโs saying, โI donโt want to wait until youโre gone. I want whatโs mine now.โ
So the father gives it to him. And the son sets off for a distant land, full of dreams and freedom. He squanders the money โ parties, indulgence, recklessness. Eventually, a famine hits. Broke and broken, he ends up feeding pigs, wishing he could eat what theyโre eating.
Then, something shifts. He remembers his fatherโs house. Even the servants there live better than this. So, he decides to go back โ rehearsing his apology the whole way: โFather, Iโve sinned against heaven and against you. Iโm no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.โ
But before he even reaches the gate, his father sees him from far off โ and runs to him. Not with anger. Not with โI told you so.โ But with open arms. He calls for robes, a ring, a feast. โMy son was lostโฆ and now heโs found.โ
Have you ever thought to yourself, why does this parable still resonate in today's society?
Because weโve all been the younger son or daughter. Weโve made mistakes. Weโve run from whatโs good. Weโve burned bridges. Weโve doubted we could ever be welcomed back.
And maybe, sometimes, weโve also been the father โ hoping, waiting, heart open.
This story isnโt just about forgiveness. Itโs about the kind of love that sees you in your lowest placeโฆ and says, โYou still belong.โ
Letโs take a moment to bring this into real life.
Have you ever had a โprodigalโ moment โ where you lost your way?
Maybe it wasnโt about money or travel. Maybe it was walking away from someone you loved. Losing touch with your faith. Giving up on yourself or even God.
The truth is, the journey back โ to ourselves, to grace, to reconciliation โ is often the hardest one to make. But it starts with the decision to turn around.
Thereโs also a second part of the story we canโt forget: the older brother. Heโs furious when the younger son is celebrated. โI never left,โ he says, โand youโve never thrown a party for me.โ
He reminds us of something else: how hard it can be to forgive someone when we feel weโve done everything right. How bitterness can creep in, even when grace is right there for us, too.
So, what does The Return of the Prodigal Son ask of us?
It asks us to believe in second chances โ not just for others, but for ourselves. To practice radical welcome. To run toward those who return with humility. And to remember: coming home isnโt always about geography. Itโs about the heart.ย It also teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is that Father watching and waiting to welcome us back home.
If this episode moved you, share it with someone who might need to hear that itโs not too late to come home.
Until next timeโฆ may you find grace knowing that the Lord Jesus is waiting on you to come back home.ย
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