Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Lost and Found, Part 40 of 78

TEXT: Luke 15

IDEA: The parable of the prodigal son is designed to change our image of God.

PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that they often carry with them wrong pictures of God.

Have you ever tried to make up a parable?
Our children and I used to do that to pass the time on long car trips. For example, “There was a certain man who was a miser. He loved money and he hoarded it. He would give none of it to anyone. And it came to pass that this man was chosen to play Santa Claus at the home for orphans in the community and . . .”

Here is another parable. It is an ancient Oriental legend. Listen to it and complete it:
“There was a certain nobleman who had a wild and impetuous son. The boy became involved with the ruffians of the village, and they persuaded him to join them in a robbery of his father’s treasure house. After the robbery was over, his friends fled with the stolen treasure and left him to face the guilt of the crime alone. The young man was desperate. He was deserted by his friends, and he had betrayed the trust of his father. But his greatest crime was that he had brought public dishonor on the family name. In a culture where ancestors are worshiped and family integrity is a sacred trust, this was the worst offense of all. Broken and deeply sorry, he went to his father and begged forgiveness.”

What do you think the next line in the story will be?

“Graciously it was granted. The father called all the members of the family together to celebrate the reconciliation and the return of his son. When all had enjoyed the banquet to the fullest, the father stood and lifted his cup of rice wine for a toast.”

What do you think happened after the father lifted his cup for a toast?

“As the son drank deep the contents of his cup, he grabbed his throat and fell lifeless across the table. The father with ceremonial dignity nodded to his guests. Each in turn politely and graciously bowed to the father as they silently left the banquet room.”

“All was now put right. The son had paid the price of his pardon with poison. His honor had been restored. The family integrity and honor were reestablished. The unfortunate incident was settled and closed.”

How does this story compare and contrast with the story of the prodigal son?

What family honor is at stake?

Did the boy expect to be punished?

The story supports the fact that the spend thrift boy didn’t understand his father.

How do many moral people think about God?