--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Prodigal Son story is, I think, the…" description: "\"The Prodigal Son story is, I think, the greatest short-story ever written. It has such drama in it, such great characters, it's so clear and concise, a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/530/max-lucado-190_altars_the-prodigal-son-story-is-i-think-the-gr_797379.jpg" --- # The Prodigal Son story is, I think, the greatest… ![“The Prodigal Son story is, I think, the greatest short-story ever written. It has such drama in it, such great characters, it's so clear and concise, and it's entertaining in the sense that everyone can relate to it. But you have no doubt what our Lord was trying to communicate in the heart of…” quote by Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/530/max-lucado-190_altars_the-prodigal-son-story-is-i-think-the-gr_797379.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/530/max-lucado-190_altars_the-prodigal-son-story-is-i-think-the-gr_797379.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/530/max-lucado-190_altars_the-prodigal-son-story-is-i-think-the-gr_797379.jpg) > “The Prodigal Son story is, I think, the greatest short-story ever written. It has such drama in it, such great characters, it's so clear and concise, and it's entertaining in the sense that everyone can relate to it. But you have no doubt what our Lord was trying to communicate in the heart of that story. So the truth was not sacrificed on the altar of entertainment in that case. And it can be.” [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The story illustrates redemption and moral truth, showing that compelling narratives can convey deep spiritual lessons without sacrificing meaning. **In simple terms:** A simple story can teach deep truths. Key Takeaway Value storytelling that preserves core messages. Themes redemption storytelling truth Mood inspirational thoughtful Type religious literary When to use this quote - preaching - writing - education - media production Key Concepts parables narrative ethics Questions to Reflect On - What makes a story both engaging and truthful? - How can we protect core messages in popular media? A Different Perspective Entertainment can dilute message if not carefully balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Altars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altars/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drama/) [Entertainment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entertainment/) [Great character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-character/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Our lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-lord/) [Prodigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prodigal/) [Prodigal son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prodigal-son/) [Prodigals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prodigals/) [Short story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-story/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [I'm a prodigal son. The black sheep of a white flock. I shall die on the gallows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-a-drake/i-m-a-prodigal-son-the-black-sheep-of-a-white-flock-i-shall-die-on/) [William A. Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-a-drake/) > [One of the hardest things in the world is to stop being the prodigal son without turning into the elder brother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/one-of-the-hardest-things-in-the-world-is-to-stop-being-the-prodigal/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [My writing has developed drastically . The Return of the Prodigal Son is the most important thing I've done, and my most mature book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/my-writing-has-developed-drastically-the-return-of-the-prodigal-son/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/but-by-faith-you-look-in-the-mirror-and-see-a-robed-prodigal-bearing/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [The difference between mercy and grace? Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance. Grace gave him a feast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-difference-between-mercy-and-grace-mercy-gave-the-prodigal-son-a/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [One of the things that has proven true in our career is that even if you take something that's as straightforward and classic as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-lord/one-of-the-things-that-has-proven-true-in-our-career-is-that-even-if/) [Phil Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-lord/) > [Chekhov - shall I be blunt? - is the greatest short story writer who ever lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/chekhov-shall-i-be-blunt-is-the-greatest-short-story-writer-who-ever/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [I am that prodigal son who wasted all the portion entrusted to me by my father. But I have not yet fallen at my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/i-am-that-prodigal-son-who-wasted-all-the-portion-entrusted-to-me-by/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > ['Prodigal Son' actually came along a lot quicker than I was expecting my next job to come. I was prepared to take a while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-payne/prodigal-son-actually-came-along-a-lot-quicker-than-i-was-expecting/) [Tom Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-payne/) > [The severe household has no fierce slaves, while it is the affectionate mother who has the prodigal son.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slaves-while-it-is-the/) [Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/) > [You may be more prodigal of time than of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-curchod/you-may-be-more-prodigal-of-time-than-of-money/) [Suzanne Curchod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-curchod/) > [“The back door beckons to a prodigal son.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-davidow/the-back-door-beckons-to-a-prodigal-son/) [Michael Davidow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-davidow/) > [I did 'Prodigal Son' at Manhattan Theatre Club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothee-chalamet/i-did-prodigal-son-at-manhattan-theatre-club/) [Timothee Chalamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothee-chalamet/) > [If a man is miser, he will certainly have a prodigal son.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/if-a-man-is-miser-he-will-certainly-have-a-prodigal-son/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“ The Prodigal Son They gave the deep end of their heart--a hue of crimson red, They whispered their desire and offered up their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/the-prodigal-son-they-gave-the-deep-end-of-their-heart-a-hue-of/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) ## More by Max Lucado > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [When we look at the love of Christ, we make a wonderful discovery. Love is more a decision than an emotion! Christ-like love applauds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/when-we-look-at-the-love-of-christ-we-make-a-wonderful-discovery-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [You will be at your best forever, Even now you have good moments. Occasional glimpses of your heavenly self. When you change your baby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-will-be-at-your-best-forever-even-now-you-have-good-moments/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“Ageing. We laugh about it, and we groan about it. We resist it, but we cant't stop it. And with the chuckles and wrinkles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/ageing-we-laugh-about-it-and-we-groan-about-it-we-resist-it-but-we/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“You’ve already learned, haven’t you, that a promise made is not always a promise kept? Just because someone is called your dad, that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-ve-already-learned-haven-t-you-that-a-promise-made-is-not-always/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God is near whether you sense His presence or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-is-near-whether-you-sense-his-presence-or-not/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If you're feeling pain, express that to the Lord. If you're feeling worried, express those worries. One passage that gives me comfort is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-you-re-feeling-pain-express-that-to-the-lord-if-you-re-feeling/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [The church is never a place to show off. Do your good deeds quietly. Serve; don't seek to be seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-church-is-never-a-place-to-show-off-do-your-good-deeds-quietly/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If there are a thousand steps between us and God, He will take all but one. He will leave the final one for us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-there-are-a-thousand-steps-between-us-and-god-he-will-take-all-but/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God's love never ceases. Never... God doesn't love us less if we fail or more if we succeed. God's love never ceases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-s-love-never-ceases-never-god-doesn-t-love-us-less-if-we-fail-or/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Are you on the eve of change? Embrace it. Accept it. Don't resist it. Change is not only a part of life, change is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/are-you-on-the-eve-of-change-embrace-it-accept-it-don-t-resist-it/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [There's no limit to God's love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/there-s-no-limit-to-god-s-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-will-use-whatever-he-wants-to-display-his-glory-heavens-and-stars/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Whether or not storms come, we can not choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/whether-or-not-storms-come-we-can-not-choose-but-where-we-stare/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Write today's worries in sand. Chisel yesterday's victories in stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/write-today-s-worries-in-sand-chisel-yesterday-s-victories-in-stone/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Explore all 968 Max Lucado quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## More Altars quotes > [There are different kinds of fire; there is false fire. No one knows this better than we do, but we are not such fools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-booth/there-are-different-kinds-of-fire-there-is-false-fire-no-one-knows/) [William Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-booth/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [he cult of productivity has its place, but worshipping at its altar daily robs us of the very capacity for joy and wonder that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-popova/he-cult-of-productivity-has-its-place-but-worshipping-at-its-altar/) [Maria Popova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-popova/) > [This is the sacrifice: the endless possibility that is offered up on the altar of the form...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-buber/this-is-the-sacrifice-the-endless-possibility-that-is-offered-up-on/) [Martin Buber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-buber/) > [When a buddha is painted, not only a clay altar or lump of earth is used, but the thirty-two marks, a blade of grass,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/when-a-buddha-is-painted-not-only-a-clay-altar-or-lump-of-earth-is/) [Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/) > [Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, first fill your own house with the fragrance of love. Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/go-not-to-the-temple-to-put-flowers-upon-the-feet-of-god-first-fill/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [And in any preaching you do, admonish the people concerning repentance, and that nobody can be saved except he who receives the most holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-of-assisi/and-in-any-preaching-you-do-admonish-the-people-concerning-repentance/) [Francis of Assisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-of-assisi/) > [Yes, thou art ever present, power divine; not circumscribed by time, nor fixed by space, confined to altars, nor to temples bound. In wealth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/yes-thou-art-ever-present-power-divine-not-circumscribed-by-time-nor/) [Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/) > [The revolting details of childbirth had been hidden from me with such care that I was as surprised as I was horrified, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-curchod/the-revolting-details-of-childbirth-had-been-hidden-from-me-with-such/) [Suzanne Curchod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-curchod/) > [Heroism, self-denial, and magnanimity, in all instances where they do not spring from a principle of religion, are but splendid altars on which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/heroism-self-denial-and-magnanimity-in-all-instances-where-they-do/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [It is by far the most elegant worship, hardly excepting the Greek mythology. What with incense, pictures, statues, altars, shrines, relics, and the real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/it-is-by-far-the-most-elegant-worship-hardly-excepting-the-greek/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [For me it's really tough because you have to go to that place where you really, really don't want to go to or revisit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morris-chestnut/for-me-it-s-really-tough-because-you-have-to-go-to-that-place-where/) [Morris Chestnut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morris-chestnut/) > [For piety lies not in being often seen turning a veiled head to stones, nor in approaching every altar, nor in lying prostratebefore the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/for-piety-lies-not-in-being-often-seen-turning-a-veiled-head-to/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [It is when we are in misery that we revere the gods; the prosperous seldom approach the altar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silius-italicus/it-is-when-we-are-in-misery-that-we-revere-the-gods-the-prosperous/) [Silius Italicus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silius-italicus/) > [Pope Gelasius in his ninth letter (chap. 26) to the bishops of Lucania condemned the evil practice which had been introduced of women serving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xiv/pope-gelasius-in-his-ninth-letter-chap-26-to-the-bishops-of-lucania/) [Pope Benedict XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xiv/) [Browse all 329 Altars quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altars/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Prodigal Son story is, I think, the greatest short-story ever written. 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