5. TEACHINGS OF JESUS (A): TWO LOST SONS
Luke 15:11-32

Background: The sons in this parable may refer to people who have been baptized as children of Heavenly Father. Or they may mean people for whom God is their Father on the basis of creation.

Verses 11-12

Verses 13 and 30

Verse 14

Verse 15-16. The work of a swineherd was the worst thing a Jew could imagine, because pigs were unclean animals according to the Law of Moses.

Verses 17-19

Verse 20. The Israelite house did not stand on a hill in its lofty solitude, but along a densely populated village track. The only place where one could see a little further was the roof of the house.

Verses 21-24. Note that only slaves walked barefoot at that time.

Verses 25-28

Verses 29-32

Glad tidings: Jesus, too, left his Father’s home, but for completely different reasons than those of the prodigal son: he wanted to fulfill his Father’s will. When he was returning to his home (at the time of his death), he did not, however, get the same warm welcome as the prodigal son. On the contrary: the door of heaven was slammed in his face and he had to cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This is why the door of heaven is now wide open before every prodigal son and daughter who comes to the heavenly Father with a ruined life.

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