Day 3: The Returning Rebel

This is one of the parables Jesus told. Once there was a wealthy man who had two sons. They worked side-by-side on his land. One day, the younger demanded from the father his share of the inheritance. The father obliged. Shortly after, the younger son packed his belongings and moved to a distant land. There, he squandered his inheritance on parties and wild living.

At the same time, there was a famine in the land. With no work and little food, the younger son desperately sought a job feeding pigs. He lived and ate with them and, as he pondered his situation, he came to his senses. "How many of my father's hands have food to spare? And here I am starving to death. I will return to my father and ask him to forgive me and make me one of his servants." So he started the journey home.

While still a long way off, his father saw him approaching and ran out to him, embraced and kissed him. The son said, "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father called to his servants to bring a robe for his son, a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. "My son was dead and now he is alive! He was lost and now is found!" The servants prepared a wonderful celebration with food, music, and dancing.

The older brother returned from the field to see what was going on. "Your father is celebrating the return of your brother", said the servant. The older brother was angry and refused to join the party. The father pleaded with him. "All these years I served you", said the older son, "but this son of yours has wasted his inheritance and you treat him as an honoured guest." The father hugged his older son and said, "Son, you are always with me and all I have is yours. But now we must celebrate. Your brother was dead and is alive again! He was lost, but now he is home!"

When Jesus told the story of the Prodigal Son, he was showing us a picture of how we act with God. We have all fallen short of perfection, and gone away from God. The Bible says there is no one who has not sinned (Romans 3:23). Just like the Prodigal Son, we have to deal with the consequences of our actions. But God is always waiting for us to come back to Him. The Bible says, when a sinner comes back to God, the angels rejoice in Heaven. (Luke 15:7)


Daily Prayer

"Give us this day our daily bread."

"He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate -- bringing forth food from the earth." Psalm 104:14