Parables
The parable of the two sons
Father has two sons ●The younger brother asks for his inheritance and leaves○Squanders his money until he is broke. So desperate for food, he eats pig food.○Returns to the Father ashamed, ready to be a servant ●Father welcomes the younger brother with open arms, hugs him, throws him a party ●Older brother is jealous, reminds Father that he has been dutiful and better than the younger Son. Older brother insists that he deserves the party. ●Father reminds older brother that the lost being found is worthy of celebration!
What do we have to take in account when reading a parable
Literary Context○What is around the passage? Who is Jesus speaking to? What is happening when this parable shows up? What is the theme? ●Summary of the Story itself○What is happening in the story? Main plot points? Characters? Resolution? It's easy to get confused by the weird language or storytelling! ●Analysis/Meaning○What does this parable mean? What is it's point or lesson? What does the person/item represent? Apply ideas of allegory/metaphor/simile you learn in English class. ●Application○What can we learn from the parable?
Literary context of the parable of the two sons
Luke 15:11-32 ●Jesus' audience:○"Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.' So he told them this parable..." Luke 15: 1-3a ●The parable is told after other short parables about the lost being found. In each case the Finder rejoices in the fact that someone is found (vv. 3-10) .●One of the themes of Luke was that the Gospel was for all people, including Gentiles (see Book intro). These parables showcase to God's people that we are to rejoice in the work and love of the Father when others come to Him.
Meaning of the parable of the two sons
The Father is God (footnote 15:17-18). ●The older brother is like the Pharisees and Sadducees (footnote 15: 25;Luke 15: 1-3) ●Younger brother is like those who were lost, have other idols before the Father, and became found (footnote 15:12; Luke 15:7)○Gentiles○New Christians (footnote 15:24) ●Our worth/status depends on the love of the Father (footnote 15:22), not on what we do or don't do (Luke 15: 11-32) ●We should rejoice when sinners are found by God, not push them to the side because of how they have lived (footnote 15:31; Luke 15:32)
application of the parable of the two sons
We are like the sons of the Father (fn 15: 24).○We are lost like the younger brother that was found by God, our Father (fn 15:3).○We are like the older brother in that we think our worth is found in what we do (Rom. 23: 27-31). ●God loves us more than we deserve (Rom. 6:23, IVP NT Commentary). ●We are to forgive one another, just as Jesus does (IVP NT Commentary). ●We are to celebrate when others are found and brought to the Father (fn 15:31), (IVP NT Commentary).
What is a parable?
a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.
How many and what type of parables are there
○Kingdom of God ○Redemption and Loss ○Love and Forgiveness ○Prayer○Eschatology (end times) ○others
What do we know about parables
○Stories are memorable ○Communicate to head and heart○Truth is hard to communicate in just a sentence/statement○Illustrations can capture a larger meaning ○Gives context/examples
