Prodigal Son Distorted by FB Pastor

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Socialite

The context of his rehearsal was all in the same breath of him figuring out what he would. "I will tell him I've sinned against heaven (common Jewish response for repentance) and then work for a hired servant and get out of this pig farm." Nothing in there signifying a work of repentance in the son. No doubt, like any human, he felt bad. But mostly, he was coming back home because he spent all his money. Rob seems to think because he considered "the rules aren't so bad" (which you disagree) -- I lean more toward him genuinely wanting the Father's acceptance, but going about it in a way that most of us do. In spite of it, he was shown Grace --- even before his rehearsed story.

Grace is extended BEFORE our obedience. Let's get the Gospel the right way, PO.

So is everyone who comes to God when they are down and out (in the pigpen) scheming when they confess that they have sinned?

I think you're reading motives into the text that aren't there.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

So is everyone who comes to God when they are down and out (in the pigpen) scheming when they confess that they have sinned?

I think you're reading motives into the text that aren't there.

No. But the reality is, Grace comes to us first. We can't even come to God except the Spirit draw us (stepping away from the story for a sec). And believing in Him is a gift... from Him! (Eph 2)

I'm not reading motives into the text. Just the story --- you aren't seeing Jesus describing a repentant sinner. You are seeing him describe someone who is interested in getting his inheritance -- or at least shelter, back.

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.

17 “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

The entire episode is based on him trying to figure out how he could eat again. There is nothing in hear about him feeling bad, thinking of all his warm memories with his father. In a real-life situation, I'd say those are possibilities. However, in a parable, we can't go too deep with things that aren't there. IOW, the message Jesus is telling us isn't something not in the story. It's all right there. We can even erase my "scheming" theory (which I feel has textual support ala his lines rehearsal), and skin this story down to a wasteful sinner, and a gracious Father who loved him in spite. The Father loved on him even before he could get his lines out. He showered him with prodigal love.