The answer is: Prodigal son

Luke 15:22-23

In the delectable parable of the Prodigal Son as told by Jesus in Luke 15, we discover a rich tapestry of human emotion, redemption, and familial love. This story beautifully illuminates the relationship between a father and his sons, drawing many hearts to its core message of forgiveness and acceptance. When the wayward son returns after squandering his inheritance, the father’s reaction is nothing short of extraordinary—he runs to embrace his son, garments flowing, defecting traditional decorum for love’s sake.

Interestingly, the father’s gifts—the best robe and the fatted calf—symbolize not just welcome, but restoration to status and honor. In ancient Hebrew culture, the best robe would often signify dignity and authority. It envelops the son with familial love, paralleling what we often see in biblical covenants, where promises often come with signs of divine favor.

Moreover, the celebration with the fatted calf indicates something deeper than mere entitlement; it showcases the father’s joy and the community integration of the penitently lost son. Within the culture of secrecy attached to Jewish families, extravagant open displays signified reconciliation and communal joy.

In wider biblical context, this parable echoes the recurring motif of alienation leading to reconciliation, seen in stories like that of Joseph and his brothers or even the father of Samson, who welcomes him back after hardship. It’s a timeless reminder that unconditional love can conquer adversity, symbolizing deeper truths about human connection and divine compassion.