11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.
12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13Not 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.
14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
16He 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 servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
20So 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.
23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:11–24 (NIV)
Commentary
Our lives often resemble the prodigal son leaving for a distant country. We cry out for our own autonomy and freedom, only to leave God and live recklessly, eventually experiencing a sense of lost direction amidst poverty and loneliness. The world's endless greed and selfishness leave us living in the emptiness of "pig pods," causing us to lose the courage to turn back.
When the younger son returned to the father, the father was filled with compassion, ran to him, and embraced him (v. 20). Even before hearing the son's full confession of unworthiness, the father interrupted him to provide the best robe, a ring, and sandals. This signifies the total restoration of his identity. The father rejoiced, saying that his son was lost and is now found.
Today, remember the Father’s love that encourages your courage to return. When you make the honest confession, "I have sinned," the Father welcomes you back not as a hired servant, but as His child. Stop the "wild living" in your life and return to the Father. Within that love of waiting and acceptance, you will gain the spiritual freedom of restored identity and eternal joy.