GOD has THREE SONS.....

The Prodigal Son Story concluded without an Ending.... And that hides a message. The Interpreters' Bible Commentaries ingenuously bids us step into another dimension.

Jesus first addressed this parable to the Scribes and Pharisees... And there were many other diverse listeners standing by. Had they all listened intently .... they would have heard another story.

GOD has 3 sons.... two of them were sons on earth - created by God. The younger son on earth forgot his true home; and through pride of flesh sank into shame. The older son on earth, despite being mindful of the skies, began to despise his younger brother - through hardness of his heart.

 

Photo of The church of the Holy Sepulchre

 

 

The Son in Heaven abides always in His Father's Joy. But a shadow fell on both of them whenever they think of the children on earth.... Suddenly one though of resolve came upon them..... The Father said, "I will send the Child of my Abidingness to seek them." And the Son replied, "I will go so that my brothers may come home; and my Father no longer need grieve." So the Son of Heaven took flesh...and walked the roads of earth.

He found the younger prodigal ..... ate his husks and shared his shame. But the prodigal was deaf. "He's no brother of mine," he shouted back, "and God is but only a name." So the Son of God's Abidingness then found the elder prodigal - who was then in church. He also was hard at heart. "Why should you seek my brother?", he bursts out bitterly, "for he is a wastrel. You're no better than he!"

The IB commentator now takes us .. back into Time and Theology. 

 

Quote:

"Then befell the most, cruel thing earth has ever known. The two prodigals killed the Son of God's Abidingness for His light was pain to their afflicted eyes. 

 

In the hate that yearning can bring they slew Him on the Cross. But, but He prayed for them as He died.(Luke 23:24)

Photo of The Collosseum in Rome..... AD 80

 

 

Time passed ... and phased on... The younger prodigal said, "I would return to God if I had not killed His only-begotten Son..... but now!" The elder prodigal then said, "I never knew my lovelessness until I saw His love... but I have killed Him... so now...!! (I Peter 2:24,25)

It then dawned upon the sons of men that God Unsparing sent His Son to die on the Cross. He bled . a burden gladly bearing.. He died to take away my sins......

But then... the Son of God's Abidingness rose from the dead - for the grave could not imprison Him nor stubborn souls soured up His soul. He arose. He is with us.

Photo of Rome in the 4th century and the Council of Chalcedon - to lead the Christian world..

 

Both the prodigals then knew.. He came back. What they then did .. who can say! The Prodigal Son Story does come to an End - in us. You and I must need write another story - a New Beginning.

Sources: Interpreters Bible Commentary, William Barclay, Kenneth E. Bailey, the Hymn "How Great Thou Art!"

 

Pastor Edwin Khoo