The Father’s Celebration Campaign: A Tale of Two sons

What’s Happened… Father divided the wealth The younger son left He lost everything & returned to be a worker Greeted by Father’s love he was received as a son A celebration was ordered

What’s Happened… The older son came back He inquired about the celebration He refused to go in His father pleaded with him A revealing exchange Open ending…questions

The Audiences Within the Parable Original Audience What We Understand

Jesus’ Intention for the Characters: Father Younger Son Older Son  God / Jesus  Tax Collectors & Sinners  Pharisees & Teachers of the Law

A Different Perspective: Father Younger Son & Older Son True Elder Brother  God  Each of Us  Jesus (Implied into the story)

Father’s Perspective Both sons were lost – The younger in rebellion – The older in righteousness The father wants both to become true sons

The Father Gives his wealth to both brothers despite the shameful request He is shamed by the younger brother’s rejection of his love He is further shamed as the older brother fails to act responsibly He welcomes the younger brother home as a son

The Father He restores the younger brother before the community He celebrates the younger brother being found with a great meal He pleads with the older brother to come in and celebrate The older brother argues he is not generous to him

The Father The older brother accuses him of favoritism He reminds the older brother that he has given him everything He reminds the older brother of the joy in finding the younger brother He invites the older brother to celebrate his love and reconcile with the younger brother

As you observe the father do you see him as a “fool” or do you see him as “love”? Are you an observer or are you in the story?

Do you see yourself as: - an observer - a son - a brother Until I accept that I am a son I will always live outside of father’s home

Home Tonight: Further Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son / Henri Nouwen “The whole course of the spiritual life is falling off, and returning, slipping away from the truth and turning back to it, leaving and returning. So in our leaving, as much as in our returning, we must try to remember that we are blessed, loved, cherished, and waited for by the God whose love doesn't change.”

The Final Challenge Is the goal to accept sonship and live at home OR Is the goal to accept sonship (leave home) and extend father’s love to all on the way back home

John 20:19-23 (MSG) Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant.

Jesus repeated his greeting: "Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you." Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said. "If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?" John 20:19-23 (MSG)

What will this story do to you or for you?

The Father’s Celebration Campaign: A Tale of Two sons