PARABLES

ParableEarthly story with a heavenly meaning

comparison of the "known" (earthly) truths with the "unknown" (heavenly) truths that sheds further light on the unknown

Helps us to better understand the mysteries of heaven

Story making comparisons

Why did Jesus teach with Parables?Jesus used parables because they provoked

thought coaxed the listeners into participating

more actively as they considered the parables' ambiguous content

To enlighten the hearts of true seekers he was speaking indirectly and figuratively

so that lawyers had nothing concrete with which to make a case against him

Luke 15: 11-32

THE PRODIGAL SON

• The Parable of the Prodigal Son

• 11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to [1] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ [2] 22 But the father said to his servants, [3] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Often referred to as…

“The Wasteful Son”

“The Loving Father”

Jesus was trying to teach the people what the Kingdom of God is like

The father in the parable represents God—Our Father in Heaven

The son who left represents sinners; people who turn away from God

Elder son represents the attitudes of the Pharisees

History/Context

According to the Law of Moses, the eldest son received a double portion of the inheritance (2/3)

Younger son would receive 1/3

Younger son wanted to leave. Why? Freedom, wanted inheritance “NOW”

Significance of Pigs... UNCLEAN

The Father“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw 

him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” The son asks for forgiveness

What does the Father’s actions tell us about God’s love for us?

He was waiting for his son…He throws his arms around his son, kisses him, brings 

out the best robe, ring on his hand, sandals for his feet, fatted calf to eat during a CELEBRATION

The son is treated as a person of importance and authority

The Younger (Prodigal) SonWhat is Jesus teaching us?

When we sin (turn away from God) we need to ask forgiveness.

When we are sincerely sorry for what we have done, God FORGIVES!!! He’s waiting for us.

No matter what we do, God ALWAYS loves us.

The Older SonHe “played” by the rules and he resents how

well the brother is being treated

He refers to his brother as “this son of yours” instead of saying “my brother”

His father replies “you are always with me”; “all that I have is yours”

Jesus once said: “ Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentence.” Luke 5: 31-32

Pharisees

Religious priests/leaders

Keeper of the Mosaic Law: keeping the Torah was essential if you wanted to please God

Relationship with God wasn’t what was important

Looked down on sinners and tax collectors

Stayed away from them in case they were “defiled” by them

Placed great importance on Temple worship but had no personal relationship with God

From the Viewpoint of the Pharisees…

Jesus broke the laws; how could he be the Son of God

Jesus mixed with the tax collectors and sinners

Healed people on the Sabbath day, forgave sins

Jesus said the Pharisees were self-righteous and hypocritical

Pharisees saw Jesus as a threat as he gained popularity and had some authority/influence over those who listened

The Prodigal SonMirror Parable

It describes the LOVE God has for us

It teaches us the importance of forgiveness

It teaches us the importance of our relationship with God

Virtues in this Parable…

FortitudeShown by the

Prodigal son

Even though he was full of shame and realized he had done wrong, he had the strength to ask forgiveness

Lack of Temperance

Prodigal son “squandered” his inheritance recklessly; no moderation practiced

“The Wayward Student”Teacher and 2 students One showed up for class ON TIME every day;

completed all his work; studied for all tests and was always respectful to the teacher

Other students skipped; never studied; was seen outside smoking instead of coming to class; swore at the teacher

Each day the teacher waited by the classroom door for the student to show up

One day the student showed up; and apologized to the teacher

The student said that he had been disrespectful, lazy and wrong for not coming to class; He said “I am so sorry for my actions and behaviour”

He asked could he enroll in the class next semester

The teacher told him that if he worked really hard he could probably complete the assignments as she was willing to give him an extension

The student was so thankful. He came for extra help and ended up completing all his work.

The other students in the class became angry and said “that’s not FAIR”; we do all our work, we come to class and we are always respectful

The teacher said I am always available to help you if you need the help. However you never seem to need help and you figure things out for yourself.

You have all worked hard. You all deserve good marks for the hard work you have done.

At that point, one of the students realized there was a project due on Monday. He remember he had to work Saturday and Sunday.

He thought about it for a few minutes, took out his agenda and wrote down a reminder to work on his project tonight.

Virtues shown in The Wayward StudentJustice: giving marks they earned; giving

what is rightfully theirsPrudence: common sense; planning his

study timeTemperance: lack of temperance shown,

smoking all the time, skipping all the timeFortitude: strength shown by student when

he apologizes to the teacher and tries to figure out a way to do well in the course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua0nCqoTKBg