Once upon a time there was a father with two sons. The younger son had a big wish. One day he said to his father, “Dad, give me my share of your money now. I want to see the world!”
The father looked lovingly at his son and gave him what he wanted. The son packed his things and set off. He traveled to a distant land. There was a lot to discover and experience there!
At first, the son was happy. He bought great things and had fun parties. But he soon realized that all the money had been used up. All the friends who were only there for the parties left him. The son had nothing left.
Soon after, there was a great famine in the country. That means there wasn’t enough food. The son was hungry and didn’t know what to do. Eventually, he found a farmer who hired him to feed the pigs. But even the pig feed looked better than his own food.
One day the son thought, “Why am I here? At my father’s house, even the servants have enough to eat. I will go back to him and ask him to receive me as his servant.”
The son made his way home. He was a bit excited and also a little anxious. Would his father take him back?
When he was still far away, his father saw him coming. Full of joy, he ran to meet his son, took him in his arms and kissed him. The son said, “Father, I made a mistake. I am no longer worthy to be your son. Can I become your servant?”
But the father called out to his servants: “Get the most beautiful garment! Put a ring on him! Make a big party, because my son has come back!”
The older brother in the house was confused and perhaps a little jealous. He asked, “Why this celebration?”
The father answered, “Your brother was lost, and now he is back. He was as if dead, and now he is alive again! That’s why we have to celebrate.”
Message of history
God is always happy when we come back to Him, no matter what we have done. He loves us, even when we make mistakes.
Bible passage
The parable of the prodigal son is found in Luke 15:11-32:
“And he said, ‘A man had two sons.’ 12 And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the portion of the wealth that falls to me.” And he divided their belongings. 13 And after not many days the younger son packed up everything and went to a distant land; and there he made his fortune with a dissolute life. 14 But after he had used up everything, a great famine came upon that land, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him to his fields to tend the swine. 16 And he desired to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs were eating. and no one gave it to him. 17 Then he came to himself and said, “How many of my father’s hired men have an abundance of bread, but I am dying of hunger here! 18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me one of your day laborers! 20 And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still far away, his father saw him, and he was sorry; and he ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” 22 But the father said to his servants, “Bring the best garment and put it on him, and give him a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us eat and be glad. 24 For this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; and he was lost and has been found again! And they began to be merry. 25 But his elder son was in the field. And when he came close to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants to him and asked what it was. 27 He said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf, because he has got it back in good health.” 28 Then he was angry and would not go in. But his father went out and spoke to him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, “Behold, I have served you for so many years, and I have never transgressed your commandment, and you have never given me a goat, that I might rejoice with my friends; 30 But when this son of yours came, who squandered your wealth on harlots, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him. 31 And he said to him, “My son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” 32 But you should be glad and rejoice; for this brother of yours was dead and has come to life again, and he was lost and has been found again.”
