The Parable Of The Prodigal Son

Origin
The New Testament

Story
Here’s another story within a story! This popular parable also reflects Jesus’ love, grace, and acceptance for everyone.

It was another beautiful day, and Jesus was trying to explain why he loved sinners so much. So he told the story of the Prodigal Son!

“There once lived a man with two sons” Jesus began. “The younger son developed a greed and asked his father to give him his part of inheritance early. The man loved his sons very much and gave him what he asked for.

Soon, the younger son took all the money and went to a far away land. With the recklessness of youth, he spent all the money on meaningless expenses. Soon he had no money left. This was also the time when famine struck the land. With no money, the younger son began to starve.

With no other option available, he went to a rich man’s house and asked for a job. The rich man had only one job on offer – that of feeding the pigs! No other man was willing to accept such a dirty job. Amidst this hardship, the younger son soon realized what a blunder he had committed! He said to himself “I will go and beg my father’s forgiveness. I will ask him to make me his servant”.

With that thought in mind, he returned to his father’s house. When the father saw his younger son, he was overjoyed. He hugged him. But the son was filled with repentance and wanted to work as his father’s servant. But the father would have none of it! He ordered the best clothes and shoes for his beloved son and hosted a feast in his honor too!

But the elder son was unhappy and refused to attend the feast. Seeing this, the father asked why he was so unhappy. To this, the elder son replied, “I have never left your side and loved you always. And yet you love my younger brother more.
On hearing this, the old man smiled and said, “Your brother has returned and repented. That is surely a reason to celebrate. As for you, my son, you own all that is mine, now and forever!”

Upon hearing this story, the people understood exactly why Jesus loved the sinners because they returned from their sin!

Lesson
God loves all his children equally.