The Prodigal Son

It is Christ's desire to recover and save all who are lost. This parable shows how ready He is to pardon our sins, as well as the obstinacy of those who murmur at God's compassion. The prodigal son lived an extravagant wasteful lifestyle – a life of madness and self-deception. But it is a sign of God's mercy to not leave prodigals in their backsliding. The son came to his change of mind by remembering the kindness of His Father. The goodness of God leads us to repentance. The older son was a picture of the self-righteous moralist who cannot bear the idea of sinners receiving mercy. Proud and self-righteous people resent the compassion of Christ, and think that obedience is only outward and not from the heart. Let us remember the Psalmist's prayer in Psalm 25: "Remember not the sins of my youth; remember me for Your goodness' sake, O Lord!"