SATURDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Micah 7:14-15.18-20: Tread down our faults to the bottom of the sea.

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3.11-32: Your brother here was dead and has come to life.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son: The Lost Son, Lk 15:11-24

The parable of the prodigal son is the greatest and most beloved story ever told in human language. God loves and reaches out to the most prodigal of men and He runs to embrace any prodigal son who repents and returns home. God forgives his prodigal son and restores him, no matter how terrible the sin and failure of the prodigal.

1.    He said, “Give me” (v.11-13)

a.    My inheritance

b.    My independence

c.     The result: he wasted his life in wild living

2.    He met the day when he suffered and was in need (v.14-16)

a.    He suffered being destitute

b.    He suffered natural disaster

c.     He suffered humiliation

d.    He suffered hunger

e.     He suffered the loss of friends

3.    He came to his senses and snapped out of his insanity, back to reality (v.17-19)

a.    Thought of his father and his enormous provision

b.    Thought of his plight

c.     Thought of humbling himself:

i.                Of repenting

ii.              Of confessing his sin and unworthiness

4.    He got up and returned to his father (v.20-21)

a.    He repented-turned from his sinful life

b.    He was accepted even before he confessed

c.     He confessed

5.    He was accepted when he returned to the father (v.22-24)

a.    The father restored him

b.    The father fed the son and celebrated his son’s return

c.     The father proclaimed his son’s new life

The Parable of the Older Son: The Self-Righteous Religionist, Lk 15:25-32

The second son or the older son represents the self righteous religionist-the mortal, the just, the good-the man who has never committed gross and visible sin. He is religious and does religious works; therefore he feels and believes he is accepted to God. In this parable Jesus pointed out five faults with the self-righteous religionist (Lk 11: 37-54; 18:9-12; Rom 2:17-29).

1.    Fault 1: he was in the field away from home (v.25-27)

2.    Fault 2: he shut himself out (v.28)

3.    Fault 3: he was self-righteous (v. 29)

a.    He claimed to be religious

b.    He claimed to be moral and just

c.     He felt he deserved more, that he was not recognized enough

4.    Fault 4: he lacked compassion and understanding of sinners (v.30)

5.    Fault 5: he failed to see two critical facts (v. 31-32)

a.    He had the same blessings available

b.    His brother was truly saved

Thought: The father restored the prodigal son:

a.    The “robe” restored him to a position of sonship and honour. It symbolized being clothed with the righteousness of Christ.

b.    The “ring” restored him to a position of authority. The son was now to represent the father and his kingdom.

c.     The “sandals” immediately restored and elevated him above servant hood, which means he became a free man. The son was now fitted with sandals to carry the Gospel of Peace wherever he went (Eph 6: 15).

d.    The “celebration” pictures reconciliation, full acceptance, and the great joy of the occasion.

e.     The father proclaimed his son’s new life.

i.                He was dead and is alive again.

ii.               He was lost and is found.

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