The Prodigal's Return - A Poem by John Newton

 

The Prodigal's Return

Afflictions, though they seem severe,

In mercy oft are sent;

They stopped the prodigal's career,

And caused him to repent.

"What have I gained by sin," he said,

"But hunger, shame, and fear?

My father's house abounds in bread,

While I am starving here!"

"I'll go and tell him all I've done,

Fall down before his face;

Unworthy to be called his son,

I'll seek a servant's place."

"I'll not pine here for bread," he cries;

"Nor starve in foreign lands:

My father's house has large supplies,

And bounteous are his hands."

His father saw him coming back,

He saw, he ran, he smiled,

And threw his arms around the neck

Of his rebellious child!

"O, father I have sinned - forgive!"

"Enough!" his father said:

"Rejoice, my house; my son's alive,

For whom I mourned as dead!"

'Tis thus the Lord His love reveals,

To call poor sinners home:

More than a father's love He feels,

And welcomes all that come.

John Newton

Luke 15:11-24 And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.