Keep this parable well, for it shows you the essence of man and the innermost heart of God. We call this chapter the golden chapter of the Holy Bible, for it clearly shows us the way of salvation.
A young man chose to leave his father’s house, relying on his ability and mind, having received several gifts from his father of intelligence, beauty, and power. Be aware that your share from God is also great, for your eyes, heart, and lungs are the Creator’s gift to you. We have nothing of ourselves. All things are from our heavenly Father.
When the young man wanted to separate himself from his father, the loving father asked him to remain with him, saying to him, "Stay with me. I love you, and help you, and bless you. Do not go away from me. There is no mercy in the world." The Almighty God speaks to you such kind words. Do you hear his voice?
But the young man insisted on separation and living independently to practice his own power and seek success. So his father gave him journey provision and his part of the estate, and let him set out, but with tears. In this manner God does not force anyone to stay with him, for love allows freedom and never results in slavery.
The young man plunged into the world away from his father, living from his funds a life of luxury, extravagance, and dissipation. He had many friends as long as he had money and good health. But when the prodigal son became poor and sick, no one helped him, and everyone left him. So do not completely rely on any man, for out of one thousand friends in need, you may find one friend indeed.
In this way, the son of the rich man fell to feed swine. This portrays the truth of his dissolute, muddy soul, with the difference that the swine filled their bellies with the husks, but he was hungry in body, in soul, and in spirit.
The lost son must have received many letters from his father. But he did not open them, for he had already known their contents: "Come back, I love you." Moreover the father sent messengers to his son, but he did not receive them. Now, having suffered hunger, with pimples and boils filling his body, he recalled the love of his father, and was deadly ashamed. Do you believe in God’s love for you, even if you neglected his love?
After a long struggle with his soul, the lost son overcame his soul and decided to go back to his father, and confess his failure before him. He was broken within himself and terribly ashamed. That was the turning point of his life, for the image of the father appeared out of his subconscious and came out before his eyes, and he held fast to it in his heart. Did you realize that the holy God is your merciful Father? He is not willing to punish your or torment you, but to save you completely. This is the will of God. Come to your Father who is waiting for you at all times.
The way was long, and the repentance tears were bitter. Yet when the lost son became near his father’s house, his father saw him. He was eagerly watching for the return of the wayward boy. The father left his house immediately, ran to his coming son, fell on his neck, kissed him, and covered his defects with the robe of his love. He did not speak any word against him, but the movements of his love spoke more eloquently than the most beautiful speech in the world. Be assured that in this very manner God will run to you and receive you joyfully if you get up and go to him.
When the son felt the love of his father, he became entirely broken to his pride, and mumbled with tears: "I am not worthy to be called your son. Forgive me, and let me work with you, for I am hungry." Then the father’s heart rejoiced, for the son’s confession showed self-denial; trust in the father, and beginning of the new life.
The returning son did not confess before a bishop, priest, or clergyman, but before his father alone. So confess all your sins before God the Father in the presence of Christ, and say: "I am the lost son, the thief, the sinner. You know all my sins and faults. I am not worthy to be called your son. Forgive me my sins. Do not cast me out. Purify me and save me that I may live with you in purity and peace, and never leave move away from you.
When the son confessed, the father began to move. He ordered his servants to bring him the white garment of salvation, put the ring of glory on his hand, gave him the shoes of preparation for the gospel, and killed for him the fattest calf in the house to satisfy his hunger. The father ordered every one in the house to be merry. Do you realize the meanings of these representations? The Father gives you the garment of salvation in purifying you from your sins. He seals you with his Holy Spirit, and authorize you formerly thief to preach his salvation in your surroundings. All of this because he was himself the sacrifice that satisfies the world and centers in us that his life, power, and will may dwell in our hearts. Does Christ dwell in you?
Then the father began to be merry, and expressed his joy out of his loving heart, saying: "My son was dead in sins and faults. But now look; he is living through his trust in my love. He returned repentant and broken, and he will soon recover in my house in body, in soul, and in spirit. My beloved one was lost in his obstinacy and pride, but the ropes of my love brought him back. He is secured with me forever."
Dear brother, is the hymn of joy of your heavenly Father for you heard in heaven? Are you united with God your Father? Is your heart filled with joy? Do you believe that you are the son of God, and he is your faithful Father? Do not forget that the lost son remained his father’s son even when he was away in his sin; also his father remained his father at all times, even when his child did not think of him. Be sure that you are really a son of God, and the eternal Creator is your Father continually. Do not keep away from him. Come back to him that your choice may become true, and the joy of peace may become firm between him and you. Your heavenly Father is still waiting for you. Will you come back to him?