A Parable The lost son

[Rob Morgan]

THE PARABLES OF JESUS

The Lost Son

Luke 15:11-32 (NIV)

[11] Jesus continued: ‘There was a man who had two sons.
[12] The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” So he divided his property between them.
[13] Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
[14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
[15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
[16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
[17] When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
[18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
[19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.”
[20] So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
[21] The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
[22] But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
[23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.
[24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.
[25] Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
[26] So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.
[27] “Your brother has come,” he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.”
[28] The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
[29] But he answered his father, “Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
[30] But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!”
[31] “My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
[32] But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost