There does exist one peace of literature written as a handbook for man to guide him throughout life's journey. This book is called the Holy Bible, and though there is but one author, many penned the words. Luke, who several think to be an apostle of Jesus, he was actually a gentile, an educated physician, and a companion of the apostle Paul. Luke is credited with wrining the parable of repentance and forgivness Jesus gave his disciples about the prodigal son. It is the basic story of a young man eager to be on his own and to make life desisions for himself. After squandering the inheritance givin to him by his father, he finds his friends gone and he in a pigsty about to eat the swines slop. He now wonders if his father will allow him to be just a servant; he feels to unworthy to be called a son. The father welcomes him home with open arms as any loving parent would, even though the other son has difficulty accepting the fathers actions. The "Prodigal Son" offers well-defined life lessons from threee different points of view because of the authors use of characters and application of theme.
First, there are three characters in this parable, each with distinct personality traits. The "Prodigal Son," according to Luke, is the younger sibling, and he seems to think, as many young people do, that he is ready to live the good life on his own. Luke is quick to tell, "He wasted his subtance with riotous living." Though he has a strong and rebellious personality, when the money and aquaintances are gone, his thoughts turn to home and his father. A somewhat prominent man, the father seems to have an insight for good parenting. Luke sets a dramatic scene with his fathers' actions upon the return of the lost son: the kiss, the best robe, the ring, the killing of the fattest calf, the music, and the dancing. The father is far happier to have his son home than all the riches, presenting a unique example of true forgivness.
