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Scripture • World English Bible
Luke 15:11–24
11He said, “A certain man had two sons.
12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them.
13Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
14When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.
15He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.
17But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!
18I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
19I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.” ’
20“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate;
24for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.
World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain
Reflection
Luke 15:11–24 paints the Gospel in the language of a homecoming. The younger son demands his share, leaves, and destroys his life by self-centered choices. In the place of death and hunger he “comes to himself” and chooses to return with repentance. The striking image is the father—watching, seeing him while still far off, moved with compassion, running and embracing him. No negotiation, no long laundry list of conditions: extravagant welcome and full restoration. This is the scandal of grace. For men tempted to prove themselves by strength, reputation, or earned worth, the parable strips us down: salvation begins with dependence, not performance. Repentance here is honest speech—“I have sinned”—and a turning homeward. The father’s actions model God’s heart: relentless pursuit, immediate forgiveness, joyful restoration, and public vindication of the repentant son. That same mercy meets you today. It does not minimize the consequences of sin—there was wasted wealth and real hunger—but it decisively overcomes separation from the Father. Live like the restored son by receiving the robe, ring, and sandals: accept your identity, walk in restored dignity, and celebrate the new life God gives so that you might become a man who seeks others with the same mercy that found you.
Putting Faith Into Action
- Go to a man in your life who has strayed—call, visit, or invite him for coffee—and listen without lecturing; ask how you can pray and offer to pray then and there.
- Set aside one evening this week to confess specific sins to God, asking for mercy and turning from them; write one concrete change you will make and share it with a trusted brother for accountability.
- Identify one newcomer, outsider, or struggling man at church or work and intentionally include him: invite him to a meal, introduce him to others, and follow up next week.
Prayer
Father, thank you that you are not distant but running toward men who are lost. Give us courage to admit our need and to come home in repentance. Soften our hearts toward others who’ve wandered; fill us with compassion rather than judgment. Help us put off selfish choices and put on your robe of grace—grant practical steps of obedience and faithful brothers to walk with us. Restore what is broken by your mercy, and make us witnesses who invite others to your feast. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Memory Verse
Luke 15:20 — “He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him. (WEB)
““He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.”
Bible Context
Read all of Luke 15
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Bible Context
Read all of Luke 15
Luke 15
World English Bible • WEB
1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.
2The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”
3He told them this parable:
4“Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?
5When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
7I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
8“Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?
9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!’
10Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
11He said, “A certain man had two sons.
12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them.
13Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
14When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.
15He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.
17But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!
18I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
19I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.” ’
20“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate;
24for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.
25“Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26He called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on.
27He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’
28But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him.
29But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
30But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
31“He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ ”
World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain
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