Reading for November 9th

 Read Luke 15.11-32. In 15.11-32: The parable of the prodigal son. This is one of the most famous stories in the bible. Like the stories of the lost sheep and coin, this is not a morality lesson, but a witness to the extravagant love of a father. In verse 12: Giving children their share of the property before death was regarded as imprudent (Sir 33.19-23). In verse 15: Pigs were especially shameful and unclean (Lev 11.7-8). In verses 17-19, 21: Was the son genuinely contrite ("I am no longer worthy") or merely desperate (see 16.3; 18.4)? The father's ignores his practiced speech anyway. In verse 20: The father's compassion is the heart of the story, explaining his imprudent behavior in the presence of the slaves. In verse 24: The celebration when the lost is found is the the same in heaven (15.7, 10, 32), which is exactly the complaint against Jesus' table fellowship by those who scrupulously defend the moral order (15.1-2, 29-30). In verses 25-32: The angry complaints of the older son hold the high ground of law and order, but lack the father's love. The father has not deprived of any rights or love (v. 31). Comments or Questions..