The Prodigal Son

Jesus told of a young man from a wealthy household that was tired of being under the control of his father. He wanted what he considered his due and he wanted to get out. His father agreed and in a few days this young man went into a far off country. Well, for a while everything was great, he had lots of money and as a result he had lots of friends. This young man really hit the high life for a while. But the money started to run out and the friends began to disappear. Before long he was penniless and alone. Not knowing what to do he became the slave of a pig farmer. Now he was really in a bad way. Here he was feeding pigs and he was so hungry that even the pig food started to look good.

Jesus then told how this young man "came to his senses". He finally realised what he had given up and what an awful position he was how in. He would get up and go to his father and beg his forgiveness and ask to be hired as a servant of the house. At least that way he would have enough to eat.

When he was still a long way off his father saw him coming down the road and he ran and embraced his son. The boy pleaded with his father for his forgiveness. The father said in reply, "let us eat and be merry: for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found." The father welcomed his lost son back to his household to take up the position he had left before.

When Jesus spoke to the people He often told them stories, or parables. They loved to listen to Him because He always spoke to them about things they could understand. You can read of the story of the lost son in Luke 15:11-32. While the stories of Jesus were entertaining, more importantly they held spiritual truths.

There are some people just like this son who cannot see the blessing of remaining in the household of God. They can't see just how good it really is. The bright lights of the "distant country" have blinded them and they are listening to false promises.

There are other people who find themselves in that distant country as low as they can possibly get. Life once seemed really good for them but now they see that they have nothing and they have nothing to look forward to.

If you find yourself in either of these situations you need to "come to your senses". Realize that we have a loving father in God. God is there for you if you will only turn to Him. Leave your doubting behind. Come back from that distant country. Come back to the loving father who patiently waits for you.