Campaign: A Tale of Two sons

The Audiences Within the Parable Original Audience What We Understand

Luke 15:11-12 (KEB) There was a man who had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, “Father give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” And he divided his property between them.

Jesus’ Target Audience Would Come to See that: Father Younger Son Older Son  God / Jesus  Tax Collectors & Sinners  Pharisees

The Two Lost Sons Campaign: A Tale of Two sons

Luke 15:13-14 (KEB) Not many days later the younger son sold all he had, traveled to a distant country, and wasted his property in extravagant living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country and he began to be in need.

Prodigal Extravagantly wasteful Wasting parental money No hint of immorality

Kenneth E. Bailey Finding the Lost Cultural Keys to Luke 15 “In the East, neither translators nor commentators have found immorality implied in the language of the text.” The problem of “spilling”

Insight Luke 15:13-14 The only thing the younger son took with him was his father’s broken heart BUT he didn’t know he had it with him.

Luke 15:15-16 (KEB) So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. And he would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything.

“The prodigal, a Jew, is reduced to wishing he were a pig! The pigs can eat until they are satisfied. He cannot. The pigs had food. He did not.” Kenneth E. Bailey Finding the Lost Cultural Keys to Luke 15

Insight Luke 15:15-16 The younger son sought pleasure, he finds pain; he wished freedom, he gets bondage.

Luke 15:17 (KEB) And when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father's craftsman have bread enough to eat and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!”

Insight Luke 15:17 Traditionally “he came to himself” is thought to mean that he repented. But did he repent? His only confession is that he is hungry!

Luke 15:18-20a (KEB) I will arise and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you and I am not to be called your son. Fashion out of me a craftsman.” And he arose and came to his father.

Rabbinical Repentance 1.Confession of sin 2.Compensation for the evil done 3.Sincerity in keeping the law previously broken

“He sees himself potentially as a servant / employee of his father, not a son.” Kenneth E. Bailey Finding the Lost Cultural Keys to Luke 15

Insight Luke 15:18-20a The question for every listener to the story is this: Will the father be satisfied with a master / (paid) servant relationship or does he desire a father / son relationship?

Luke 15:20b (KEB) And while he was still a great distance, his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell upon his neck and kissed him.

The Father’s Response He sees him at a great distance He has compassion He runs through the city to get to him first He falls on his neck and kisses him first

Insight Luke 15:20b The father took the son’s shame upon himself by running through the village and then publically receiving him – before he even gave his speech.

Luke 15:21-22 (KEB) And the son said to the father, “I have sinned against heaven and before you and am not worthy to be called your son.” And the father said to his servants, “Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hands and sandals on his feet;

Insights Luke 15:21-22 After realizing his father’s love he no longer COULD finish his speech He had broken his father’s heart (not a law) He was lost (at the edge of the city) until he was found

Restoration Robe Ring (Signet) Sandals  Honor  Trust  Self-respect

Insight Luke 15:21-22 Repentance has been redefined in the story: “the acceptance of being found”

Luke 15:23-24 (KEB) And bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, for this my son was dead and is alive, he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate.

Insight Luke 15:23-24 The banquet was a celebration of the father (not the son). Jesus has demonstrated why He eats with sinners.

The Two Lost Sons Campaign: A Tale of Two sons