The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Yesterday, Dr. Gene Veith, over at Cranach, put up a link to this sermon preached by his pastor last Sunday. It is on the familiar passage from Luke 15 and the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Such passages are hard to preach because everyone has heard it umpteen times. This pastor chose to put the parable in modern terms to make it come alive. Here is the introduction:

A man had two sons.

The first son was every parent’s dream. He was polite and respectful. He always did his chores. He never talked back. He was dependable and honest, and a good student. He went to church, was always well-dressed, ate his vegetables, and even volunteered to help the poor. The whole town thought well of him, and thought well of his father because of him. What a blessing, they thought. Maybe God even has special plans for him, that he be a ruler or leader someday.

The second son, however, turned out not so good. In fact, he was what we would call a slacker. He was the rebellious one. His chores often went undone. He questioned his father’s authority. He spent most days hanging out with his friends at the mall, wasted his money, and stole from his father. He got suspended from school, liked to fight, was disruptive in church, and some nights got so drunk he never came home at all. The whole town thought they’d be better off without him, and felt sorry for his father because of him. What a burden, they thought. What a shame.

Click on this link to learn the identity of the real prodigal.  St. Athanasius Lutheran Church: Lent 4 Sermon