Parables VII

WHH Parable Study VII Oct. 21, 2011

The Prodigal Son and Elder Brother is one of the longest and best know of the Parables of Jesus. It appears only in Luke 15:11-32. It follows the parable of the Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin. If you consider the Prodigal lost, then this is the third of three parables demonstrating God’s concern for the lost.

A better name for the parable would be the parable of the Compassionate Father or, by normal worldly standards, the Crazy Father. When Jesus told this parable his hears would be shocked, just as we are, when we really think of the father’s actions.

He son insults his father by asking for his inheritance in advance.

That is kind of like saying, “I can’t wait until you are dead. Give me the money now.” In that culture where the father was an honored figured of authority, this was a serious insult. The ones who heard Jesus would have expected the insulted father to have the brat beaten and thrown out with nothing, but no. You know the story. When the prodigal “come to himself” because he is broke and starving, he decides to return home and see if his father will take him back as a hired hand. The amazing thing is that the father “saw him when he was far off and “ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.“ vs. 20. Those familiar with Middle Easter Culture say that the father running would have been undignified and socially shocking. The prodigal gets his father’s ring (our equivalent is credit card) and a garment signifying status and dad throws a big party. This is a story picture of the grace filled, compassionate love of God for all of us.

We are all prodigals in some way, but most church people fit the role of the good, hard working, elder brother. Perhaps he was trying to earn his father’s love, but he never asked for anything. Certainty he has a deep resentment of his brother, probably of long standing sibling rivalry The story ends with no real conclusion. We don’t know whether the elder brother ever joins the party. If he stays away, he insults his father, because, as the oldest son he had an obligation to be the host at the party. If he misses the party, it is his choice.

The next parable we discussed was the Rich Man and Lazarus.(Luke 16:19-30.) The context here is 16:14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this and they ridiculed him.” Jesus has harsh words for them in vs.15. Then skip down to vs. 19 and Jesus tells this story. (Jesus doesn’t call it a parable)

A rich man (very rich, purple and fine linen sumptuous daily feasting) and a poor suffering, beggar named Lazarus. Both of them die. Lazarus is carried by angels to be with Abraham. The rich man is in Hades. The word is Hades not hell. Hades is the Greek word for Sheol, the place of the dead. The Hebrews did not have a word that expressed our concept of hell as a place of everlasting torture. Since the rich man is “being tormented” some translations use the word hell. (See KJV and The Message)

The rich man gives no indication of repentance and he wants Lazarus to wait on him and send a message to his brothers warning them of their fate. Abraham replies, If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from dead.(vs.31). This was a clear message to the Pharisees and how true it proved to be.

Notice that Abraham addresses the rich man as “Child” (v 25) There is no indication of judgment or condemnation, but there is a “division or a great chasm that has been fixed. (vs.26) It is the way things are and money is the issue. Fair warning. Jerry