I’m sure most of you have heard or read the story of the prodigal son. If there was ever a story worth reading over and over again, it’s this one. If there was ever a story Jesus told to help us understand the Lord’s love, patience, mercy, and grace — especially in the face of our daily slip-ups and failures — it’s this story.
Over time, the Holy Spirit can teach you a thousand lessons through this parable if you approach it with a teachable heart each time you read it. Today, I want to highlight a few important truths that help us receive God’s strength to live mightily before Him.
The prodigal son asked for his inheritance early and left home to “live it up.” I imagine him much like many teenagers or young adults today — wanting independence, wanting to experience life, wanting to find himself, and thinking only about one person: himself.
This led him to all the wrong places. He quickly bought friendships, partied recklessly, and squandered everything. When the money was gone, so were the friends. Eventually, he found himself feeding pigs — the lowest work possible — just to survive.
It was there that “the lights came on.”
Luke 15:17–23 (NIV) —
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired men have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you…”’
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him…”
When he “came to his senses,” he returned home humbled.
And how did his father greet him?
Not with a lecture, not with shame, but with joy — the joy of a loving parent who had been watching and praying for him.
His father was a man of faith, believing God would work on his son’s heart.
He knew his son wasn’t under his control, but under the influence of his own choices.
He also knew God could reach him in ways he could not.
The father was a man of love, patience, grace, and mercy.
He expected his son to return.
And when he saw him, he ran.
His goal was not to berate him, humiliate him, or punish him. It was to rejoice, restore, and embrace him with unconditional love. This reception was something no prodigal would expect or feel worthy of — yet this kind of love brings healing, acceptance, and renewed purpose.
The father first placed the finest robe on his son.
This robe represents the robe of righteousness provided through Jesus Christ. It is the covering God places on each of us so that when He looks at us, He sees us washed clean and accepted as His children.
Hebrews 10:17 — “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
The robe symbolizes acceptance and justification — being declared “not guilty” before God.
Next, the father put a ring on his son’s finger.
To us, this ring symbolizes the authority given to every child of God:
- Authority in the name of Jesus
- Strength from the Holy Spirit to resist temptation
- Discernment against the schemes of the enemy
- Confidence to pray bold, faith-filled prayers
The ring symbolizes our authority to live an overcoming life.
Finally, the father put sandals on his son’s feet.
Sandals represented welcome, dignity, and a new beginning.
To us, they symbolize the calling to share with others the same grace that God has shown us.
This is the ministry of reconciliation — bringing God’s love to those around us.
And then the father celebrated his son.
Each gift — the robe, the ring, the sandals — brought acceptance, healing, and renewed purpose.
We are all prodigal sons and daughters.
God loved us while we were still sinners.
He put a robe of righteousness on us, a ring of authority on our hand, and sandals on our feet so we could walk as ambassadors of His love.
This story is about God’s love redeeming us into new life.
So let’s go live it.
Isaiah 60:1 (NKJV) —
“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.”
