08/15/2021- “The Prodigal Son” – Luke 15: 11-24 – presented by Dr. Michael Youssef
https://www.ltw.org/listen/teaching/the-prodigal-son
I seem to recall this is a 20 – 25 minute audio sermon.
Thank to David, a brother at work that gave me this sermon. I end up eventually reading the christian books that Nancy picks up and adds to our library. I did not though with a book that was titled: “Prodigal Son”. I didn’t this time. Why not? Was it because I just told myself: “I’ve heard this countless times between sunday school, sermons, renewal conferences,etc. I’ve got this one down.
But, I need to remind myself , the Inherent Truth of the Bible can come through multiple interpretations. Think of it like three dimensional chess, just deeper and more dimensions. But there is connectivity across all of them.
Just as David relayed to me, Dr. Youssef, points out that the subject of Jesus’ parable is in the first sentence, consistent with Jewish and Middle Eastern tradition. The subject is the father, God the Father. And culturally at the time, Dr. Youssef goes on to say that it would be unthinkable for a father to come running like this to greet his wayward son. It would be just too unseemly.
There are those who reject Christ, for they don’t see themselves in need of saving. But I also expect, on the other side of the coin, there are those who just can’t accept God himself dying on the cross for us, with our slate being wiped white as snow. How could an Almighty God do that for me, a poor miserable sinner.
I reiterate from time to time with fellow Christians that it is proper and fitting to be thankful for “being saved”. After all, there it is “not all about me” , as gruff as they may sound. So , maybe these multiple dimensions are not equally weighted in signficance. So, the weight, or focus goes first and foremost to the glory and praise of almighty God. So, let’s start with this focus on the father in the parable instead of primary focus on the prodigal. And I recall a side question and analysis from the older brother’s perspective. It was beneficial because it asked : “How many of you can relate with the older brother’s resentment of the younger brother not having worked like him for the father.”
Soli Deo Gloria!