“Jesus’s story might best be named the Parable of the Two Lost Sons. It is a drama in two acts, with Act 1 entitled ‘The Lost Younger Brother’ and Act 2 ‘The Lost Elder Brother.’” Tim Keller
Did you learn anything new about this parable in Tim Keller’s description of the process the father must have gone through to give the younger son his portion of the estate?
On page 20, there is a brief description of Middle Eastern society as it relates to the parable. Do you think Jesus’ hearers made the connection that God was pictured in the character of the father and, if so, do you think it revealed anything new to them about the nature of God? How about you?
Pages 23-25 describe in vivid detail “the prodigality of God’s grace.” As I read, a number of Scriptures came to my mind. What verses or passages came to mind as you read along?
When the older brother disrespects and humiliates the father, what does that say about his years of obedience and reverence for his father, family and community?
When we come to the end of the story and are waiting for some sort of resolution, Jesus leaves them (and us) hanging. To quote the author, “Why doesn’t Jesus finish the story and tell us what happened?” 2000 years later, do we know what happened?
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
In this parable we see the Pharisees grumbling.
Luke 15:1 (ESV)
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
I thought that it was interesting that in our = Tuesday nights study in Philippians that this grumbling attitude was addressed again.
Phil 2:14 (ESV)
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
This verse in Philippians is from Deut. 32:5.
Deut 32:5 (ESV)
They have dealt corruptly with him;
they are no longer his children because they are blemished;
they are a crooked and twisted generation.
This grumbling attitude kept the majority of Israel from entering the promised land just as it will keep the Pharisees in this parable from entering into the kingdom.
Matt 21:31b (ESV)
…. Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.
Maybe this parable is left open ended to challenge each person who reads it to check their hearts to see if they have a “grumbling” attitude or have the attitude that they want to go into the party/celebration (i.e. the kingdom) and join other “miserable sinners” like themselves.