The two sons were radically different. The prodigal son sowed his oats in wild living. The older brother was plagued by self-righteousness, doing everything he thought his father desired.

They couldn't have been more opposite yet ironically, both ended at the same place feeling like nothing more than servants in their father's house.

This shouldn't surprise us. They both lived in sin. And sin always leads to a sense of alienation from God.

At his lowest point the prodigal son returned home hoping his father would hire him as a servant.Instead, the father threw him a party, saying "this son of mine was dead and is now alive again."

That's the love of God. If you are feeling alienated from God, be encouraged. You have a Father who loves you and will always treat you as a son.