From Ruin to Restoration - Part 9 - The Prodigal Son

Our From Ruin to Restoration series concludes in Luke 15 with the parable Jesus told in answer to those who criticized Him for receiving sinners. In an honor and shame culture, the younger son's demand for his inheritance was like wishing his father dead, and it brought the father both sorrow and public disgrace. In the far country the son wasted his substance with riotous living until famine came, his friends disappeared, and he was sent into the fields to feed swine, longing for the husks the swine did eat. Then he came to himself. He realized he was perishing, he owned his sin without excuse, and the goodness of his father gave him hope, so he arose and went home. The father, who had been watching for him, ran to meet him, took his shame upon himself, embraced and kissed him, and restored him as a son with the best robe, a ring, shoes, and a feast. Jesus is showing us the heart of God, who loves sinners in their rebellion, seeks them, and rejoices to restore them.