New Testament Stories

The Prodigal Son

And He said a certain man had two sons...Luke 15:11

                              This is a story Jesus told. Once there was a rich man who had two sons. The younger one said, "Father, give me my share of your property now.

     So the man gave him his share. A few days later the younger son took all his things and went to a far country. While he was there, he used up all his money enjoying himself.

     When all his riches were gone, the young man was hungry and poor. He went to a man who gave him a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry that he would have eaten the pigs' food.

     Suddenly, he came to himself. He thought, My father's servants have more than enough to eat. Why should I stay here and die of hunger. I will go to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against God and done wrong to you. I am not good enough to be called your son anymore. Let me work as one of your servants."

     So the young man started off to his father's house. While the son was still a distance away, his father saw him coming. He ran out to meet his son and hugged him and kissed him.

     "Father, I have sinned against God, and done wrong to you. l am not good enough to be called your son."

     But his father paid no attention to what he said. He called the servants, "Bring the best clothes, and put them on my son, and put a ring on his  hand, and shoes on his feet.  And kill the fat calf for a feast. My son was dead, and now he is alive!"

     So they all had a happy party. The older son came in from working in the fields and heard the music and dancing. "What's going on here," he asked a servant.

     "Your brother has come home, and your father has killed the fat calf for a celebration!"

     The older brother was angry and would not go inside. His father came out and begged  him to come in but he replied, "Look, father, all these years I've stayed here and worked for you like a slave. Did you you ever even give me a small party for me and my friends? But when your son shows up after wasting so much money , you kill the fat calf and have a big feast!"

     His father said, "Son you are always with me, and everything I own is yours. But we have to be glad and celebrate today , because your brother was dead and now he is alive. Once he was lost and now he is found!"  .