The Prodigal Son... Sons... Or Father?

[He giveth more grace]

... thanks for the pm and trailer

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[Fez]

It's a bit of everything, the freedom of salvation through grace and the acceptance of that grace (as in the younger), as opposed to salvation and the law, and living in the law (as in the older).

There must be hundreds of lessons to be gleaned from this one parable.

[Guest]

... thanks for the pm and trailer

Trailer? What Trailer? I didn't get a Trailer? Does it sleep four?

Must Be A Jeff Foxworthy Fan

[GoldenEagle]

... thanks for the pm and trailer

Trailer? What Trailer? I didn't get a Trailer? Does it sleep four?

Must Be A Jeff Foxworthy Fan

The Prodigal… God? (Luke 15)

Prodigal

1. Recklessly extravagant

2. Having spent everything

We, including those who are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ, are all sinners. I hope this is received with spirit it was intended. This is just one beggar wanting to tell others where the hot soup is.

What if the at the center of this parable (Typically referred to as “The Prodigal Son” in Luke 15) was not just repentance of the younger or the stubbornness of the older brother?

The father pursues his sons recklessly at a high cost to his honor, gives of himself sacrificially, regardless of what other people think, and in absolute unconditional love seeks reconciliation.

What if the center of this story was the father’s love and sacrifice?

What if our God is prodigal - Extravagant and Sacrificially giving in His Love towards us?

What if we looked at this parable instead as God was the One who was giving away extravagantly (in a good way) His love on humanity?

We might even view His love as wasted especially on those who reject Him. But God views us all as worth His sacrifice. The father in the story gives away his possession, honor, prestige all for the sake of reconciliation with his sons.

I propose this is the radical message of Jesus’ parable: We need something that is missing in our lives - a relationship with God. Jesus wants us to long and seek something – Himself. Jesus wants us to hope for home - Heaven. Yet God is the ultimate Pursuer and Reconciler as is the father in the story.

I ask again what if God is the prodigal One in this parable? Understand what I am saying… What if He was the extravagant One – spending all He had and giving His very life for us?

Take this a step further. The eldest son failed to go after and redeem the younger son. But God is the One Yielding the life of His true Eldest Son (Jesus) for the ramification of our sin?

Did He not do this at the cross through Jesus Christ?

A relevant question to the Church today: Are we truly Gospel Transformed people?

Are we satisfied with mediocrity? Or are we on fire for God telling others of what Christ has done for us? Or are we just coasting along unto Heaven.

See the video link on the next post...

"The Prodigal God Promo"

In Christ,

Eagle

Thoughts?

[GoldenEagle]

... thanks for the pm and trailer

Trailer? What Trailer? I didn't get a Trailer? Does it sleep four?

[Sevenseas]

... thanks for the pm and trailer

Trailer? What Trailer? I didn't get a Trailer? Does it sleep four?

This is funny

Note to self: focus and be serious

[Guest]

B. All need to repent.

Younger brother - Those who are rebels need to repent of their evil deeds.

Older brother - Those who are “moral” people need to repent of the good deeds they did of their own power for their own gain.

A Repentant Sinner

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. Luke 15:20-21

The Forgiven Younger Brother

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. Luke 15:22-24

And His Jealous Older Brother

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. Luke 15:28-30

The Chastised One

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Luke 15:31-32

Can You

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19

See

~

Parables Are Deep Wells Indeed And Many A Wise And Anointed Preacher

Will Not Deliver A Sermon On Them Until

He (Or She) Has Served In Ministry

At Least Four Years

And I Don't Know But That This One Preached To The Jews

May Be More About Israel And Her Messiah

I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: Romans 11:11-13

Than We Might Guess

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Matthew 15:24-28

[joi]

I am a bit of both! I can well remember wanting, as a youngster, to get out on my own and I can equally remember turning to God for redemption.

It seems to me that our Father is literally leaning forward looking for us to come to Him. It took me 40 years to finally come to the realization

of His saving grace and remember the feeling of total freedom I got at that moment.

Joe's verses say it all.

I am not sure what is meant by Prodigal Father?

[GoldenEagle]

... thanks for the pm and trailer

Trailer? What Trailer? I didn't get a Trailer? Does it sleep four?

This is funny

Note to self: focus and be serious

You guys are entertaining. haha

[GoldenEagle]

That is the question is it not? What is the purpose of this parable? Who is the key player or character? That is ultimately what this discussion is about. See your PM.

OK...thanks...got it now. (use of the word prodigal threw me off and still not sure about its use that way, but I think I'll drop it cause it doesn't matter)

Right. I’m sure people will have an issue with calling God prodigal. But understand what I mean...

But I propose that it be used this way…

What if our God is prodigal? - Extravagant and sacrificially giving in His Love towards us?

What do you think?

Hmmm...actually, truthfully, I always kind of understood this from the aspect of the father and not either son as I thought the father was the central theme in it

I guess I always looked at this passage from the perspective of one of the Sons.

I did not take so far as to think of the aspect of the older son being 'sacrificed' for the younger (prodigal/sinner/needing salvation) and I am not

sure that can be applicable without stretching things a bit or at the least, a shadowy typology? Gets the wheels turning though

Food for thought. Really, all I meant was an allusion to where the elder son didn’t fulfill his role in restoring or accepting his brother Jesus Christ, who was perfect, was able to do so towards all of humanity.

I always did notice the older brother's reaction..haha..maybe I am just over sensitive regarding family dynamics and notice all these things

Sometimes we do project. haha

ps...I do know that there can be layers of understanding in something, but I'm hesitant to fish for a hybrid specimen that does not reproduce.

What do you mean?

Will wait for more input, but a good discussion and thanks for the pm and trailer

Okay what did you think of the post #14?