The Parable

 

 

A parable is a brief, usually allegorical narrative that teaches a moral: “In parables . . . the moral themes are implicit and can often be interpreted in several ways” (Backpack Literature, 26). Jesus used parables to teach lessons, which are as relevant today as when He first told them. Read the following parable, and then participate with your classmates in the threaded discussion that follows at the bottom of the screen.

“The Parable of the Prodigal Son”

(Luke 15:11-15 or Backpack Literature, pages 198-199)

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son,embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

1. Acknowledge all sources for anything you write that originated with anyone other than yourself. Use in-text citations throughout your paper anytime you quote or paraphrase (e.g., put information into your own words) anything directly/indirectly from literary works or resources. At the very end of your paper, include “References,” which include all of your in-text citations.

Respond and Discuss

Reflect on this parable. Read it in the context of Luke Chapters 14-16 (select your favorite personal translation or version). Then answer the following questions:

• What is this timeless parable really about?
• When the older brother sees the celebration for his younger brother’s return, he grows angry and complains to his father. Does pride (or other emotions) enter into the actions of either brother?
• What would your reaction be as the older sibling? The younger sibling? The father?
• How effectively do the structure and message of this parable (see textbook for definition) convey lessons?
• In what way(s) do you personally “connect” with this parable?

APA format, 150+words