Hey Carpool Crew. No matter where you are riding today, maybe in the car, maybe at home, maybe on a walk, I am really glad you are here. Today we are starting a brand-new Carpooling with Heroes of the Bible series. And this one is special because it is not just one episode. It is a five-episode look at one famous story Jesus told, called the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Here is what makes this series different. We are going to hear the same story five times, but each time from a different point of view. We are going to hear it from the younger son, the father, the older brother, the servants in the house, and the watching community. Same story. Different eyes. And today, we are starting with the younger son. The one who ran away. This story comes from Luke chapter 15, and Jesus told it while religious leaders and everyday people were listening. That matters, because Jesus wanted everyone to see themselves somewhere in this story. So today, imagine you are riding in the car with the younger son. You are hearing the story through his eyes. Here is how it begins. I was the younger son. That is important, because in Bible times, the younger son did not get much. The older brother was the one who would inherit almost everything. He would get the land, the animals, the house, and the responsibility of the family. But one day, I went to my father and asked for my share of the inheritance early. That might not sound bad to us today, but back then, this was incredibly disrespectful. It was like saying, 'I wish you were dead so I could have your stuff.' Everyone would have expected my father to get angry. Or to say no. Or to punish me. But he did not. He gave me my share. And just like that, I had money. Freedom. Options. I could finally do what I wanted. So I packed my bags and left. I went far away, to a place where no one knew me and no one could tell me what to do. At first, it was amazing. New friends. New food. New clothes. No rules. No chores. No expectations. But here is something kids do not always hear about this story. The Bible says I wasted my money on wild living, but it does not list every bad choice. That is on purpose. Because the point is not what I did. The point is that living without wisdom always runs out. And mine did. The money disappeared. The friends disappeared. And then something even worse happened. A famine hit the land. That means there was not enough food. Jobs were scarce. People were desperate. And suddenly, I was hungry. Really hungry. I took the only job I could find. Feeding pigs. Now, this part is huge. Pigs were considered unclean animals. Jewish people did not eat pork. They did not touch pigs. And now here I was, standing in mud, feeding pigs, wishing I could eat their food. That is how low I had fallen. And that is when it happened. The Bible says, 'He came to his senses.' I realized that even my father's servants had food. Even the people who worked for him were treated well. So I practiced what I would say. 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.' I did not expect to be welcomed. I expected to be tolerated. So I went home. And this is where the story changes everything. While I was still far off, my father saw me. That means he was watching. That means he had not given up. That means he had been looking down the road. And then something shocking happened. He ran. Men did not run in that culture. Especially older men. Especially respected fathers. Running meant lifting your robe, showing your legs, and losing dignity. But my father did not care. He ran to me. He hugged me. He kissed me. And before I could finish my apology, he called for the servants. Bring the best robe. Put a ring on his finger. Put sandals on his feet. Every one of those things mattered. The robe meant I was honored. The ring meant I belonged to the family. The sandals meant I was not a servant. I was a son. I did not earn any of it. And then my father said something I never expected. 'We are going to celebrate.' Not later. Not after I proved myself. Not after a punishment. Right then. Because I was lost. And now I was found. If you are listening today and you feel like you have messed up. If you feel far from God. If you feel like you have gone too far or done too much. This story is for you. The younger son is not a hero because he made good choices. He is a hero because he came home. And here is the most important part. The father did not just accept him back. He restored him fully. That is what God's grace looks like. Before you go, remember this. This is just the first point of view. Next time, we are going to hear this same story again, but from someone who never left the house. Someone who stayed close but still struggled on the inside. Next time, we are riding with the older brother. Remember, no matter where you are or how you are listening, God loves you.
