The Prodigal Son & The Loving Father

This panel depicts one of the best known of Jesus’ parables. It is a story of a man and his two sons. The younger son requested his inheritance. The father did not debate the issue, and without delay, the young man realized his share of the property and left home. When his money ran out, he lived from hand to mouth, working wherever he could.
One day the son decided to return home, and to plead to be taken back -- not as a son, but in the lowest rank of slaves, a hired servant, a day labourer. This panel illustrates the homecoming -- the son in rags, kneeling in humility and embarrassment and guilt.
The father never gave his son a chance to ask to be a servant. Instead, he broke in, calling for a robe to give him honour, and a ring to give him influence and power, and shoes to give him the status of a son. Then a feast was ordered that all might rejoice at the wanderer’s return.

In the background is the elder brother, looking as if he may be sorry that his brother came home. The party would be difficult for the elder son. His self-righteous nature which dutifully honoured his father, left little room to understand the compassion which forgave the wayward younger brother.

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