Narrative Of The Prodigal Son

Uplook – September 2021 — Grace & Truth Magazine

Narrative Poem
Of The Prodigal Son
Based on Luke 15:11-24

The Departure The younger son said to his father, “Dad,” he said, “I’m leaving home, I want to go out there you see, For I can make it on my own.
Give me my inheritance now For I’ll need it to make a start.” So, the father gave it to him, But it broke his father’s heart.
People stared at the stranger As he strolled into the town, And when they saw he had money, They decided to stick around.
With parties, booze and women, The young man was having a ball, But soon his pocket was empty, For he had now spent it all.
His so-called friends had left him, They had stayed for food and wine; A famine compounded his problem, So, he got a job feeding swine.
He was hungry but no one cared, He longed to eat what the pigs ate; And as he pondered his situation, He was filled with the deepest regret.
Repentance And Return When finally, he came to himself He said, “What am I doing here, My father has so many servants, And plenty of bread to spare.
I will arise and go to my father, And tell him about all my sins, I’ll beg him to make me a servant, For such a wretch I have been.”
The Reception In the distance his father saw him, Head bowed with grief and shame; And it filled his heart with pity, As closer the poor boy came.
His father ran out to greet him, Greeted him with a loving kiss, His boy had come home again, The one he for so long had missed.
The father said to his servants, Cutting short what the boy had to say, “Put the best robe upon him, For my son has come home today.
Put a ring on his ringless hand; And put shoes on his bare feet, Kill the fatted calf I saved up, And let us all sit down and eat.
My son who was dead is alive, He is found who once was lost, Let us all be glad and make merry, For my boy is worth the cost.” — Richard Barnett

A Moral Teaching

“All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one to his own way.” — Isaiah 53:6 NKJV

“‘Return to Me,’ says the Lord.” — Jeremiah 3:1

“Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy upon him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” — Isaiah 55:7