Luke 15:15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
Selfishness and rebellion cause us to be lowered to depths unimaginable. (For a Jew what could be worse than sustaining pigs that were ceremonially unclean?) 

Luke 15:14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
Eventually self-sufficiency runs its course and personal neediness arises. 

2 Samuel 21:14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land. 
When we follow God’s commands, make amends, and right past transgressions, God answers our prayers.

Luke 15:13 Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
Selfishness eventually leads to separation from the Father. 

2 Samuel 20:22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem. 
Wisdom involves cutting ourselves off from troublemakers who do evil.

Luke 15:12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate…’
Am I the kind of son that has a “gimme” mentality toward my Father? I sure hope not.  

2 Samuel 19:7 Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.” 
Those placed in leadership need to encourage those who follow, even in the midst of great sorrow.

Luke 15:11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons…
Sons were very different in how they responded, sinned, and processed. Everyone is not like me. I need to remember that God has wired us all differently. 

2 Samuel 18:32-33 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.” The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!” 
Despite what his son had done to him, David mourned. Father, thank You for loving us despite everything we have done to You.

Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
God celebrates repentance. May I do the same when I see people choose to confess, change behavior, and make right decisions to live for Christ.