A wandering child comes home

Before us we have one of the most familiar, and debated portions of Scripture in all the Bible.
Bible scholars and theologians have debated for many years as to whom this “prodigal son” represents. Some suggest that it is a picture of national Israel, finally returning to God. Some that is the Gentiles, who turn from idols to serve the true and living God. While each of these positions hold some merit, I would like to simplify the debate some.
Far too often, we are prone to miss the forest for the trees… what we find here is a picture of a sinner coming to God. A broken and straying child, coming home.
A prodigal child who has wandered far away from home…far into the depths of sin and far from the Father’s home…whether this child was lost and comes home for salvation, or he was saved and comes home for restoration…either way, the message is God receives straying sons and daughters.