The Prodigal Son | Bible Stories Retold

Every word. He practiced it the whole way home. Jesus told a story about a man who had two sons. One day, the younger one walks up to his dad and says, "Father, give me my share of your property." Think about that. An inheritance is what you get when your father dies. He was basically saying, "I wish you were dead. Just give me the money." And the father gave it to him. Split everything he had right down the middle. A few days later, the son packed it all up and left for a far country. And he lived it up. New friends. New clothes. Every night. A party. The Bible says he wasted everything he had with riotous living. Then the money ran out. And the friends ran out right behind it. On top of that, a famine hit the whole country. Now he had nothing. He took the only job he could find, feeding pigs. For a Jewish man, it doesn't get any lower than that. He was so hungry, he wanted to eat what the pigs were eating. And no one gave him anything. And then the Bible says he came to himself. Sitting in the mud, he thought, "My father's workers have more food than they can eat. And I'm out here starving." So he made a plan. And he wrote a speech.

"I will get up and go to my father, and I will tell him, "Father, I have done wrong against heaven and against you. "I am no longer worthy to be called your son. "Make me like one of your hired workers." He didn't expect to be a son again. He was just hoping for a job. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, which means his father had been watching the road. And he was moved with compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Grown men in that culture didn't run. But this father ran. The son started his speech, "Father, I have sinned. "I am not worthy to be called your son." But he never got to the part about being a servant. The father cut him off, bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. For this, my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found. But not everybody was celebrating. The older brother came in from the field, heard the music, and got angry. He wouldn't even go inside. "All these years I have served you. I never disobeyed you. "And you never threw me a party." So the father went out to him to, "Son, you are always with me. "And all that is mine is your. But it was right to celebrate." For this, your brother was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found. Jesus never tells us if the older brother went in. That part of the story is still open. Maybe you're the son on the road with a speech ready.

Here's the truth. The father is already watching the road. He's not waiting for your speech. He's waiting for you. ♪♪