The Prodigal Son: A Father Who Runs | Luke 15:11-32 | Parables in Motion

One day the younger one came to him and said, "Dad, give me my share of the inheritance now." It was a harsh thing to ask, but the father agreed. A few days later, the younger son packed everything he had and left for a distant country. There, he spent it all. Parties and friends who loved him as long as the money lasted. Then, the money ran out, and a famine hit. The only job he could find was feeding pigs, and he was so hungry he would have eaten what they ate. Nobody gave him a thing. That's when, as Jesus tells it, he came to his senses. My father's workers have food to spare, and I'm starving here. "I'll go home. I'll tell him I've sinned against heaven and against you. I'm no longer worthy to be your son. Make me one of your workers." So, he started the long walk home, and while he was still far off, his father saw him. His heart broke open. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. The son began his speech, but the father cut him off. Having the best robe put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet, we're going to celebrate. My son was dead, and he's alive. He was lost, and he's found. But the older brother was out in the field. He heard the music, and he wouldn't go in. He'd stayed. He'd worked. Nobody ever threw him a party. His father came out and pleaded with him, "Son, everything I have is yours." But we had to celebrate. Your brother was lost, and now he's found. And that's where Jesus stops. We never find out whether the older brother went inside. Each brother are you today. And what would it take to walk through that door? (silence)