One of my all time favorite parables is that of the prodigal son. You remember the story of the wealthy man whose son asked for his inheritance from his father, and then the young man took this money and spent it all on riotous living and returned broken, forlorn, and penniless to his father’s home. You can read about this in Luke 15. There are many reasons why this is a favorite of mine, but just a couple I want to mention follow:
At the beginning of the chapter the Pharisees and scribes ridicule the Savior because He was receiving sinners unto Himself and eating with them. So the Lord spake a parable to them about the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-6)
Then He explained to them the real meaning “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
But not wanting them to misunderstand, He also shared the parable of the lost coin to make His point. (Luke 15:8-9)
Again He emphasized “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Alas, to reiterate His point, He then finished with the parable of the prodigal son. This boy willfully rebelled against his father. He was forewarned but did not heed the warning and everything happened just as he was told it would—but he was still forgiven and though he felt unworthy to return to his home, the father placed his finest robe on his son, and shoes on his feet, and a ring on his finger, and killed the fatted calf and made merry. (Luke 15:11-24)
“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And that’s my favorite part because each one of us is that misguided boy. We have all made mistakes and are unworthy of the blessings in store for us, but we don’t receive these blessings because we deserve them. We receive them because our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us despite our shortcomings.
The Lord suffered for our infirmities that we might be healed and reunited as families with Him. He offers us salvation and freedom from the effects of every barrier to our return.
That’s what it means to be saved by grace.
More reading about Salvation: By Grace or Works?
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