John MacArthur\'s \"Tale of Two Sons\"
John MacArthur makes all of his messages available via Podcast. I've been extremely edified by his treatment of the passage on The Prodigal Son. Recommend you check out his podcast here while it's still available for free download:
http://www.gty.org/index.php?section=podcast
He's got some great insights I've never considered before. That parable is incredibly rich in some themes that are drawn out when you understand some of the cultural background.
MacArthur also makes transcripts of his sermons available here:
http://www.gty.org/broadcast.php?section=pastbroadcast
The shocking nature of Grace is really drawn out in the shame that the Father bears before a culture that would have expected the Prodigal son to not only repent but make full restitution (works) before he could hope to be reconciled to the father. The son would be expected to wait in town for days before he summoned by his father during which time he would be shamed by the townspeople.
So many things are culturally "wrong" with the story.
-The father runs which would have caused him to bare his legs.
- He runs to the son from a far distance sparing his son the ignomy of shame awaiting him in town.
- He bears the shame of people who would be cross thinking "how can he meet the boy without making him grovel..."
- He falls on the son with kisses and restores him as a son before the son says a word
- He puts his best robe and signet ring on the boy which is the inheritance that the older brother is due to receive upon the father's death.
It is just dripping with Grace. I was overwhelmed listening to it.
[Edited on 5-21-2006 by SemperFideles]
John MacArthur makes all of his messages available via Podcast. I've been extremely edified by his treatment of the passage on The Prodigal Son. Recommend you check out his podcast here while it's still available for free download:
http://www.gty.org/index.php?section=podcast
He's got some great insights I've never considered before. That parable is incredibly rich in some themes that are drawn out when you understand some of the cultural background.
MacArthur also makes transcripts of his sermons available here:
http://www.gty.org/broadcast.php?section=pastbroadcast
The shocking nature of Grace is really drawn out in the shame that the Father bears before a culture that would have expected the Prodigal son to not only repent but make full restitution (works) before he could hope to be reconciled to the father. The son would be expected to wait in town for days before he summoned by his father during which time he would be shamed by the townspeople.
So many things are culturally "wrong" with the story.
-The father runs which would have caused him to bare his legs.
- He runs to the son from a far distance sparing his son the ignomy of shame awaiting him in town.
- He bears the shame of people who would be cross thinking "how can he meet the boy without making him grovel..."
- He falls on the son with kisses and restores him as a son before the son says a word
- He puts his best robe and signet ring on the boy which is the inheritance that the older brother is due to receive upon the father's death.
It is just dripping with Grace. I was overwhelmed listening to it.
[Edited on 5-21-2006 by SemperFideles]