1. The son willingly left the presence of the Father. After he left, the Father could no longer help his son or have any influence in his life. The son, by his own choice, was on his own.
We have total and complete free agency. We are free to either turn away from our Father in Heaven, or to love and serve Him. It is always by our own choice if we leave his presence. He can not follow us when we reject Him and follow the adversary, nor can He continue to bless and protect us. We will always be free to choose our own path in life and in Eternity. He will never force us to stay with Him or to obey. He values, respects and defends free agency.
2. The trials and hardships that the son later experienced were not punishments from the Father. When the famine came to the land, the servants of the Father were protected and cared for while the son had no such comforts. Because of his own choices, he was alone to fend for himself.
The famine in this parable was not sent by the Father to punish the son. It was something that came about naturally, just as trials and tribulations will naturally and unavoidably come about in our lives. Trails are not necessarily sent by our Father in Heaven. They are circumstantial occurrences that can afflict us during our Earthly experience. The difference between the situation of the son and the situation of the Father's servants, is that those who remained in the Father's presence and served him were sustained and cared for throughout the famine. The storms of trails and tribulation come to all, and our Heavenly Father is able sustain those who stay close to Him.
This also parallels the story of Christ, who peacefully slept as a great storm came and mountains of waves were about to swallow the ship. The storm came on it's own. However Christ was able to calm the winds and command the tumultuous sea to be still and have peace. (St Mark 4:36-41) And so, are our trials. They will come, not by the hand of our God, but He has the power to speak peace to our souls and calm our storms. He will protect his servants from death and destruction.
3. It wasn't until the son had turned toward the direction of his Father's house and began making the long and difficult journey home, while leaving his previous life of adultery and sin behind him, that the Father could then see his weary son returning to Him. And "while he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." (Luke 15:20)
The son, after being motivated by physical hunger and discomfort, began to notice the stark contrast between his desperate situation, and the situation of those who dwelt with and served his Father. He remembered the comfort and security that he had once known. And although he felt he was no longer worthy to be called His son, he desired the blessings and the comfort (and the Food) given to those in the presence of his Father, even if it meant being only his servant.
He was not driven back to his Father by feelings of love for Him, remorse for his sins or the desire to repent. He was motivated by physical discomfort, the fear of starvation, the want of a better life. His motivators were not spiritual... yet.
We also see that it takes effort to return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. Sometimes the further we travel away from Him, determines how long and difficult our returning journey will be. We cannot expect to merely say a prayer and immediately feel his Spirit and acquire his blessings. It is a journey. It is a struggle. And for some it will take longer and it will be harder to return to His presence. But as we approach Him, and at the moment we are within his sight, He will have compassion on us, and He will run to us, and will stay and strengthen us as we wearily walk the rest of our way home.
4. The son humbly sought his Father's forgiveness and his sins were remembered no more. Not once was he scolded, punished, or rejected for his transgressions. But he was celebrated, nourished and welcomed home with loving arms.
It is not until after his long and difficult journey back, and not till seeing his Father's great love for him and how he was welcomed home as a Son and not a servant; it is not until then do we finally see true and deep remorse for his sins as he humbly asks for his Father's forgiveness. "And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son."
There was no anger, resentment, punishment or parental lecture of disappointment from the Father. He welcomed his prodigal son home and instantly forgave him of his sins. The Father withheld nothing from his son and gave him the very best that He had. Even as we repent and return to our Father's presence by serving him and keeping his commandments, He too will withhold nothing from us because of our past transgressions. He will open the windows of Heaven and will rejoice in pouring out his Spirit and Blessings upon his beloved child who was dead and is alive again. "But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." (Luke 15:22-24)
5.The older son, who was angry because of the great celebration, was not wicked and should not be judged harshly, as it seems he usually is. He was a good and loyal son. He had been faithful in obeying, serving and loving his Father all the days of his life, and had never received any such celebration, recognition, or any of the desirable gifts that were being bestowed upon his younger brother.
I can only imagine what this older son must have felt. I imagine he must have felt hurt, unappreciated and perhaps even unloved by his Father. Why had all his years of service gone unrewarded? Had he been overlooked; his service forgotten? Was it all in vain?
The Father left the celebration and went to find his older son. Upon finding him, He then comforted his son. He tenderly assured him that his faithfulness and service had not gone unnoticed, and that he would receive all that the Father had. "And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." (Luke 15:30)
There are those who have always loved our Father in Heaven, who have faithfully served Him and tried to keep his commandments through out their lives. And yet sometimes these faithful children do not receive some of the blessings they greatly desire. Their lives might be hard and full of trails. They might wonder if the Lord is truly aware of them, or is their work and service done in vain. Those faithful sons could understandably feel discouraged when unable to see the fruits of their labors. However His promises are great to those who serve and obey Him continually. And He reminds his faithful children that through all of their trials or "famines" of life, He was with them and sustained them, and He will be with them forever.
Through this parable I can begin to understand the nature of our Heavenly Father and the love and mercy that He freely gives to all. This parable not only comforts the repentant sinner, but also the faithful servant. And thus we see the great love that He expresses for all his children through the Scriptures and the words of Christ.
