Luke 15:11-31

¹¹And he said, A certain man had two sons: ¹²and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. ¹³And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. ¹⁴And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. ¹⁵And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. ¹⁷But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! ¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: ¹⁹I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. ²⁰And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. ²¹And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. ²²But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: ²³and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: ²⁴for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. ²⁵Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. ²⁷And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. ²⁸But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him. ²⁹But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: ³⁰but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf. ³¹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine.

Scripture Testimony Index stories for this passage

Answered Or Unanswered, Miracles of Faith in China Louisa Vaughan

Chinese farmer, Chang Fang Yuan, heard the story of The Prodigal Son from Miss Louisa Vaughan in a tent meeting. Chang had attended simply "to hear a white woman speak Chinese," but by the end he saw himself as the Prodigal and begged to know how to get back to his Heavenly Father. This farmer was converted and boldly returned to his village in spite of the promise of great persecution.

From Opium Fiend to Preacher, The Story of Cheng Ting Chiah A. P. Quirmbach

Cheng Ting Chiah was able to powerfully relate the Parable of the Prodigal Son in his preaching because he personally identified with the story in every way. Most importantly, his identity was as a recipient of God's gracious love since he had been delivered from the terrible grip of opium.

Heroes of the Faith in Modern Italy J. S. Anderson

A wealthy Italian lady of the 1920's was reading a French romance novel, into which the author wove the parable of the Prodigal Son. Quite apart from the novel, the parable struck the mind and heart of the reader such that she saw herself as the Prodigal. At the same time, God led an evangelist to her door who was able to show her the parable in Luke’s gospel, and to explain to her the implications of God’s love.

Memoir of the Rev John James Weitbrecht Mary Weitbrecht

Reverend Weitbrecht shared the Good News to an ever-increasing crowd of nineteenth century Hindus. They were so taken with the love of God as depicted in the story of the Prodigal Son, that they begged him to tell them more.

Moody's Anecdotes and Illustrations D. L. Moody

Mr. Moody shares a personal story of his mother's unwavering love for her son who had left home and become a wanderer. Despite his absence, she prayed for him and hoped for his return, even setting a chair for him at Thanksgiving. When he finally returned, she forgave him without hesitation, reminding us that God too will forgive those who ask for mercy.

Moody's Anecdotes and Illustrations D. L. Moody

During a sermon in London, preacher Mr Dawson declared that there was not a single person in the city that Christ could not save. Later, a young lady asked him to help a young man who believed he couldn't be saved, leading Mr Dawson to find the man in a garret in the East End. Mr Dawson shared the gospel with the man, who eventually found peace in Christ, and Mr Dawson even managed to reconcile the man with his father before he passed away.