Luke 15:11-32

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on Luke 15:11-32

11Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons.
12The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.
14After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.
15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
16He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.
17Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death!
18I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
20So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
21The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
25Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
27‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’
28The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
29But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
30But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours.
32But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
— Luke 15:11-32

Related Resources from Heartlight

Good News for Christmas
Article by Rick Brown

In the dark night of the soul or caught in the foggy haze of confusion, is there good news for me? Rick Brown writes a beautiful story on the background of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and a reminder that Jesus came for all of us misfits so we could know we fit in.

What's Keeping You from Joining the Party
Article by Rick Brown

Have you missed the story about the other son? Rick Brown writes about the prodigal son parable and reminds us that there are two sons who are lost and need to come home to the heart of the father and join the party he longs to throw for both of them!

When these Ol' Walls Can't Speak
Article by Phil Ware

Can you capture the memories even if you can't hear the words? Phil Ware begins a series of messages called "The Journey Home" and focuses on God being the home we long for.

The Hardest Lesson Learned
Article by Phil Ware

Why is it so hard to learn this simple lesson on which so much of life hangs? Phil Ware continues his series on the prodigal son called the Journey home and he looks at the hardest lesson learned, that it is better to be a servant in our Father's house than to be on our own and alone.

Even When the Rain Falls
Article by Tammy Marcelain

Are you washed by the water? Tammy Marcelain shares her experience at a recent baptism and reminds us of the mercy and grace that are ours in Jesus.

Love or Legalism
Article by Kimberli J. Brackett

Which of the two do you choose to do? Jesus chose people over practices and love over legalism.

The Home Stretch
Article by Tom Norvell

Make that last effort to make it home! Tom Norvell reminds us that we will all have difficult points in our journey, but let's finish strong, especially when we find ourselves in the home stretch.

Same Thing, Only Different
Article by Phil Ware

How can we follow in the same pattern doing the same ol' thing yet it appear on the surface as something very different? Phil Ware continues his series on the prodigal son called the journey home, this message is about how both sons wanted the same thing and both loved the father's stuff more than they loved the father.

Wasted Time!
Article by Phil Ware

Haven't we all wasted enough time piddling around when there is a party going on? Phil Ware continues his series on the prodigal son called The Journey Home, and he focuses on the older brother and God's desire to throw him a party.

Just a Breath
Article by Tammy Marcelain

You can come home again! Tammy Marcelain reminds us that God is only a breath prayer away from stepping in and blessing our lives if we will only invite him in.

What It Takes to Bring Them Home
Article by Patrick D. Odum

How far would you go to bring home a stinker? A skunk caught far from home is ushered home by a couple of volunteers and this reminds Patrick of how much God did to bring us home when we were far away and stunk spiritually.

The Hardest Lesson Lost
Article by Phil Ware

Are we the older brothers? Phil Ware continues his series on the prodigal son called The Journey Home focusing this week on the older brother and the hardest lesson to lose: that it is better in the Father's house!

A Father I Never Had
Article by Dr. Jeff Lee

Can you find a father? God is the father I never had.

A Far Country
Article by Tom Norvell

How can we protect them? Letting a child go is a scary thing and when they hurt or they are killed or they go through a traumatic experience, it awful for the parent, so all we can do is ask that God be present and real for them.

Everything Is Yours!
Article by Tom Norvell

How much difference should it make in our lives to know it all is ours? Tom Norvell remembers the words of the father to the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal son that everything the father has is his, it belongs to him.

Come Home Quickly, Hallelujah
Article by Phil Ware

I know my heavenly Father is looking forward to having me home to enjoy the celebration with him and his other children. Phil Ware shares an article about his son coming home from college and how it reminds him of the Father in heaven waiting for us to return home to him.

Filled with Compassion
Article by Tom Norvell

Can you wait? Tom Norvell shares modern day stories of the prodigal son as he talks about a son, daughter, husband, and a wife who left and came home.

Limitless Mercy
Article by Tammy Marcelain

How could He love us so? Tammy Marcelain talks about Henri Nouwen's book and also about the prodigal son and the great love of God.

The Joy of Finding
Article by Bill Sherrill

What brings you joy? There is great joy in finding what was once lost.

My Father
Article by Phil Ware

Why is it so important that God be called Father? Phil Ware continues his series on the Prodigal Son called the Journey Home about the God we all need to be our Father.

When I Am Afraid
Article by

I’m thankful for the way the Lord teaches me about his character through the pitter patter of those little feet. Jordan Harrell reminds us of the comfort we find in the times of our darkness are tied to the amount of time we have sought to have a path to the Father when we are in the light.

Lost and Found
Article by Steve Ridgell

If I lose a $20 bill, it doesn't matter if I still have two other ones. I want to find the lost one. God feels that way about us. Just like we rejoice over finding lost money, God rejoices when lost people are found.

Cross References for Luke 15:11-32

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.