INTRODUCTION
Slaves fear but sons draw near to their Father. Servants compare, compete to gain acceptance, favour and success. The key to grow in our sonship as children of God is to draw near to our Father God, to be in His presence, to know His love, His heart, His will and to be loved by Him. Jesus told 3 parables with one main message, i.e. the Father sent His Son to seek and to save lost sinners and to welcome them home to be His children. And every time one sinner repents and comes home, heaven rejoices. The last parable, often known as the parable of the prodigal son reveals the Father’s heart that loves and never gives up. In the parable the older son reveals the heart of the Pharisees which is far from God’s heart. They were proud, judgmental, legalistic and critical.