The story of the "Prodigal Son" is one of the most memorable that Jesus told (Luke 15:11-32). Though we usually think of it as a story about one reckless son, it is really a story about a father and his two sons.

Jesus begins by describing how the younger son (think teenager) came to his father one day and asked for his share of his father's estate - his inheritance. This request would have been understood by First Century Jewish listeners to mean that the younger son was telling his father, "You are a dead man to me." Surprisingly, especially in that Middle Eastern culture, the father chose to divide his wealth as the son had asked.

With these few sentences, Jesus captures everyone's attention. Almost all adults can remember a time growing up when they wanted to run and find their own way in life. And wise parents understand that when a son (or daughter) begins to wrestle with adulthood, the transition will likely be challenging. This story, in every generation, sounds authentic.

After receiving his inheritance, the young son shows his immaturity by spending all his money on wild living. He eventually finds himself famished and feeding pigs. Finally he comes to his senses and begins to believe that if he could return home, even as a servant, his life would be better. He hoped his father might forgive him and allow him to return. He was willing to pay any price and take any risk to go back home.

The teenager had matured into a young man. The young son realized that what he really was searching for wasn't found in money or in living on the edge. He wanted, and needed, love and acceptance. It takes maturity to realize and to act on that insight. This young man had grown up a lot in that pig pen. As the wayward son returned home, his father was watching and came running to meet him. The father embraced the son and gave him new clothes, declaring that his son "was dead, and is now alive." What a surprise these startling words must have been to the one who had considered his father dead. And if that's not enough - the father throws an extravagant party to celebrate his son's return!

Jesus' story draws us into the arms of a very wise and loving father. A father insulted and rejected by a son he deeply loved, but a father who never lost hope that his son would return. A father who believed their relationship could be healed.

Suddenly we realize what Jesus is telling us. Despite the detail that makes this story so real to us, this is not an earthly father. Jesus is talking about God the Father. And, as his story implies, there is an invitation here for each one of us. "I've been waiting for you. Do you have the courage and maturity to come home?"

As the party gets under way, the older brother hears the excitement and starts home from the fields. The father, once again, goes out to meet his son and invites him to join the celebration. But the older son complains that the party is unjust. He angrily asserts that he is the son who deserves a party because he always did the right thing.

The story suddenly ends. We are not told if the elder son ever goes in to the party.

This ending is sobering because we realize that the older brother, while remaining at home and "looking good," was just as rebellious in his heart as his younger brother. He never accepted his father's love. The older son was a hypocrite: on the outside he was home, but on the inside he was a long way off. The temptation to play a role in life is so tempting and so destructive.

Jesus left the ending of this story eternally open so that everyone who hears it can realize - no matter where we are in life - the way home is through the Father's love. The choice to leave or remain outside is ours to make. He is always waiting for us to come in and join the celebration with Him.

THE REV. Dennis Baril is the senior pastor of Community Covenant Church in Rehoboth, a position he has held since 1989. Community Covenant Church is a non-denominational Christian Church, where preaching is biblical, practical and applicable to everyday life. He and wife, Donna, have two children and five grandchildren. He can be reached at dennis@communitycovenant.org and the church's Web site is communitycovenant.org. His columns are published monthly on The Sun Chronicle's religion pages.