Jesus Christ’s parable of the prodigal son, recorded in Luke 15, is perhaps the most moving parable He uttered.

A man had two sons, and the younger one asked his father for his inheritance. He didn’t like it at home with Dad and all his “tough rules.” I have to get out of here. I can’t stand the authority and the government, he thought. I want to go out and have a good time! He decided to flee to the world. As any parent can imagine, such rejection and abandonment is devastating.

The heartbroken father in this parable represents God the Father. Throughout history, He has had many prodigal sons who have turned away from Him. This parable helps us understand how God feels about such rejection and how He handles such a painful situation.

This father surely tried to persuade his son not to take such a reckless, self-destructive course. Nevertheless, he did not compel him to stay. Everyone must make his own decisions—and everyone must live with the consequences of those decisions.

God the Father yearns for a close relationship with every one of His sons—but He gives us the choice. He offers real, abundant living—a blessed life, filled with purpose, hope and joy. He shows us the way, then encourages us to choose life. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing,” He says, “therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). God gives us free will, and He leaves that choice to us. He is looking for the same voluntary, heartfelt love and devotion that His Son Jesus Christ shows (John 8:29; 14:31). That is what He wants from every son! Sadly, despite what a wonderful Father He is, such love and devotion are extremely rare.