This really helped me. I’ve been reflecting on my relationship with god, how far I’ve wandered, how much I’ve squandered. I’ve been so angry about god abandoning me, that I didn’t think about how I abandoned god, afraid to return because why would god care for me? Im not worthy. This parable reminds me that god is always there waiting for me to return, to celebrate my return to god.
Wow that was a great commentary on the prodigal son parables. I pray against ever believing that anyone is less deserving of Gods grace and love than myself. I place on my confidence in the lamb. What an incredible Gospel we have indeed!
For maybe 8 months I've been talking to a Christian counselor. The main theme is the prodigal son. I guess I feel so ashamed and unworthy, so I can't imagine God forgiving me and taking me back as His daughter. My dad was very abusive, so that's part of the problem, I guess. But I want to see the Father the way he wants me to see Him and to love Him. I've been struggling since 2020. I'm tired of being depressed and slothful. I desire to be whole in Christ. I don't want to hear Jesus say to me, "Why, why, why did you not come to your senses?" I'd appreciate prayers if anyone comes across this. TY
I am really enjoying your videos. What a moving story at the end. In fact I found your whole commentary moving. Having recently been baptised after 18 years of being a Christian, mostly in name and basic belief only, and now reading Theology at University, your videos help me to learn like none other I have come across. Thank you and I look forward to watching them all.
Thanks for the kind words Steph. Get as much out of the course as you can but always take what you hear back to scripture and weigh it, that will hold you steady and true. Dave
Greetings brother Dave, My name is Kyriakos for Melbourne Australia.... Praise be to God my brother for your faithfulness... Thankyou for the wonderfully humble and yet encouraging message.... This parable and the chapter before (Luke 14) are a continual reminder to me of how much God loves the world.... Whilst Christ was unafraid to tell the religious leaders what the Father had ordained Him to speak (eg John 8)....He met each one according to their willingness to yield (eg John 3) In your closing it was wonderful to hear of the testimony during WW2....it reminds me of a time in prayer when God spoke to me about redemption and impartiality.... He led me to Acts 7 and reassured me of His great love for mankind, such that one day I would witness the love between Steven and Saul (Paul) that only Christ can accomplish.... Acts 7:57-60 NKJV - Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 22:3-5 NKJV - “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, “as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NKJV - For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Acts 20:24 NKJV - “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. May the Lord bless you and keep you in the love and grace of His only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.... For there is no other name by which one can be saved but the name of Jesus Christ.... 🕊🙏❤🫂❤🙏🕊
I just now happened upon your message, about the Prodigal Son. Thank you so much for the beautiful explanation, of the picture we see , but don't see. It brought tears to my eyes. I have an estranged daughter & I've been wondering about my proper attitude toward her. I now have a better idea of the attitude I should possess, if she ever turns around... Thank you...
What a refreshing reflection on the different ways in which we can be lost and found. I thank you for the outpouring in this format and I wish you well in the journey. God bless.
BRILLIANT! It never dawned on me to think of the steadfast son as lost ... and not knowing it. But you are right to point out the synchronous or parallel aspect. I had never seen it. Thanks for that.
This was soooo profound and elevating.... Your series, each single one of the videos, makes the Bible alive and an access to God's realm. In this one, not only again I learn and clarify my understanding and misunderstandings, I am in awe at that account at the end.... It opened my heart and renewed my mind and refreshed my spirit. This videos have a lot of work and love behind them... I was searching if you have covered the lives of Elijah and Elisha and if not, might it be part of future plans?
Every detail counts... each only took half, not all!.... the Father met him halfway, and then gave him what he already had... happeness without wanting more. The Father remains Greater, until hes ready to receive more of Him.... even that will be like a grain of sand😊
Have to disagree about the older brother. The father would not have told him that everything he had was his if the son was lost. Also you said it didn’t mean what everyone thought it did but then you said several times that the prodigal son was lost but then he was found. He strayed but then returned. Seems pretty clear to me what this story is about but maybe I’m confused as to what you are saying…
Are the sons supposed to represent born-again Christians, where one becomes backslidden and ultimately repents and the other is trusting in works-salvation, or are both sons supposed to represent unbelievers?
So what about the son who gets his share of his inheritance, goes out and starts a software company and makes a billion dollars? Would the father demand his share for seed money? Or should the son hire the dad as a janitor? Or should the son buy a sheep and give to his father as a gift? You know, there are as many scenarios as there are beliefs - who the heck cares?
If the older son represents the pharisees, are they really near the father? Maybe in proximity they are, but not in relationship. They are more lost then the prodigal.
The Father of the prodigal Son - I haven't read anyone talking about how Parents give their kids things at the wrong time. Could both the Father and Son be experiencing self inflected judgment ?
So, being as the prodigal son story was grouped in with both the sheep and coin story, it's definitely about being lost, not about giving gifts at the incorrect time, although I can't help but wonder why the father agreed to let him have his inheritance at all though, in the first place? The only answer I can think is God will often allow us to go astray because He won't force anyone against their freewill...in this case I really hope the father (God) knew what would occur and that the son would eventually return and be redeemed. Maybe that was his journey and testimony?
@@viawilderness Well I think that God will just allow what the parents set up to do - Just like when Sarah asked Abraham to kick out Hagar * and when The people wanted a king * Saul * and when Noah just had to bring all his sons on board lol * Ham
Greetings brother Matt, I pray this message finds you well.... Can you please share what your understanding of Jesus teaching is.... My simple reading of scripture is always through the lens of the Kingdom.... Jesus declared from the outset of His Ministry that He was sent to announce the Kingdom of God was here....the coming of the Day of the Lord. Through that lens all of Christ's Ministry was teaching about salvation and redemption through faith....and not self righteousness. Jesus entire Ministry was an expansion of the instruction to Adam....do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As the last Adam He draws us back to the Father by relinquishing all judgement and trusting by faith in the Fathers grace.....we too are asked thus to foresake judgement and extend grace.....this is the Gospel message... If we take even this one parable in isolation we can still apply the proper hermeneutics from the garden.... Luke 14 provides the necessary and sufficient background....teaching about the purpose of righteousness.... Jesus explains this in the last 2 verses of Luke 14 account which continues into Luke 15....it's one sitting, it's just that more people are gathering upon hearing what is being spoken.... The point of righteous living in us is to actually make us more like Christ....and Jesus said be perfect like your father in heaven (Matt 5:48) and in Luke's account it reads be merciful like your Father in heaven. The point of righteous living is not ourselves....but what fruit it produces for others....love, joy peace, kindness, goodness etc Jesus uses this parable I believe to clearly show that we can oscillate between both sons...becoming self absorbed in unrighteousness or self absorbed in righteousness....the problem is self.... Hence why Christ and the disciples faithfully taught death to self... It is impossible to believe in grace but by faith....for grace is an enemy of self....just as it is impossible to believe in God but by faith. There is so much more I would love to share, however I will leave that to the Father to authorise..... May the Lord bless you and preserve you in His love and grace and may His Divine Providence bring rest for your soul.... In Jesus we trust for there is no other name by which one can be saved.... 🕊🙏❤🫂❤🙏🕊
@@kyritsitonakis5802 Hello and thank you for your take on the parable. Mine is a bit different. Firstly, there is a running theme throughout the Bible that says that the firstborn son's blessing and birthright is transferred to the second son. It's not that God accepts the second born son over the firstborn son personally, it's that the switch is prophetic in nature. Cane and Abel may be the first example. Then we see it happen with Ishmael and Isaac, and then Esau and Jacob. Then Jacob or "Israel" blesses Ephraim instead of Manasseh despite Joseph's objection. With that idea of the second born son gaining the firstborn son's status, now we can observe what Jesus does in all five parables in Luke 15& 16 because these five were actually told as if they were one parable in five parts. Also, Jesus was prompted to tell the parables because of the objection of Jesus "accepting sinners" by the elders. Now Jesus will tell the fate of national Israel in relation to Gentile "sinners" getting saved. The lost sheep and lost coin are the same in meaning. Whenever something of value is lost and then found, rejoice. The prodigal son is now lost and then found. But the elder brother refuses to rejoice and instead he becomes angry and jealous. In the parable, the father is God who has an inheritance. The firstborn son is Israel. How do I know that? for two reasons...1: God said that Israel was His firstborn son in Exodus 4:22 and 2: the prophecy in Deaut 32 that Paul quotes in Romans 10:21 states this toward Israel " I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation." Israel made angry and jealous is portrayed in the parable by the older brother who becomes angry and jealous when his younger brother (Gentiles) become saved or "found". Remember that the Jews were upset that Jesus was accepting sinners. This prophecy that Jesus reiterated in the parable literally is fulfilled in acts 13 where, at the preaching of Paul, the Jews reject it, the Gentiles accept it, and the Jews become angry and jealous. The prodigal Son is about Jews and Gentiles, the very thing Paul contrasts throughout his writings. The steward who was about to lose his position is also Israel. Lazarus in the last parable is Gentiles and the rich man is Israel. The roles are reversed and though Israel had Moses and the prophets, Abraham in the parables says that they would not believe even if one were to rise from the dead. I have two videos on this and a published work that includes this among many other glossed over nuggets in the Bible. Blessings
Greetings my beloved Matt, Thankyou for your beautiful message.... For what it's worth my beloved, I concur completely with your understanding of the prophetic meaning of the first and second son.... I also concur with the similies in the story about the prodigal son....though when you say Israel amd Gentiles I liken it to Judah (image of southern kingdom) and Ephraim (image of northern kimgdom)...but it's semantics.... I believe much of the symbolism in scripture was always to give emphasis to faith over works, Spirit over flesh.... Even Peter would eventually pen his first Epistle confirming that Christ was concealed within the prophets writings, who wrote faithfully yet even they did not know of whom they wrote and how He would be revealed.... All that said, we still have the blessing of Christ's teachings to guide us onto truth and away from error.... The older son (whilst I agree with everything you wrote) also resembles the heart posture that the law can develop in a man.... As Paul writes in his first letter to Timothy, the law is not for the righteous...but for the unrighteous.... Once we discover that we too are the unrighteous, the law is intended to commit us to death, that we might find life in Christ in His righteousness.... To be born again of the Spirit is only made possible by the revelation of Christ....as even Christ Himself declared to His disciples.....prophets and Kings desired to see what you see and did not....wow. For me personally Matt....the pursuit of both knowing Christ and being more like Christ remains the sole meaning to life.... I believe even the disciples would have been challenged in their quiet moments....and thus why prayer was so vital to their walk.... To imagine that Peter himself, almost 7 years after Christ ascended was still battling with his own flesh (Acts 10, Gal 2).... I have been a follower of Christ a short time (born in May 1967....born again in March 2018....) and as one who is blessed to spend much time in His presence, seeking His guidance, I can get discouraged at times when I witness the animosity within the body of Christ.... I am blessed to spend time on the streets of Melbourne in an outreach capacity, feeding people and also fellowshipping with lonely/homeless people and sharing the hope of Christ...offering an identity that cannot be stolen from them.... It can be difficult because their eyes have been blinded to the truth through their hurt and the uncaring state of a busy and preoccupied city.... But God who is rich in mercy.... May the Lord bless you and preserve you in His grace my beloved.... In Jesus we hold fast to our living hope.... 🕊🙏❤🫂❤🙏🕊
@kyritsitonakis5802 Well, God has certainly blessed you with understanding being that you're saved a relatively short period of time. I was born july 1967 but have been saved for about 30 years now. I have a published work that I know you would thoroughly enjoy. I also have two videos on the five parables of Luke 15 &16. Hit those theee crosses on the left and LMK what you think.
In the parable of the prodigal son Jesus was once again referring to events in the past. These events and their effect on the future were of deepest concern to Him. The prodigal son represents Lucifer. He is still lost, still 'dead', that is to say separated from God. In this parable - as in the two preceding ones - Jesus was reaching out into the far distant future. The return of the prodigal son in the story indicates that one day - who knows when? - Lucifer will return to his former home. At the beginning of the story the younger brother asks his father to give him his share of the inheritance. Here Jesus was speaking of the moment when Lucifer - the younger brother - while still living in the Kingdom of God had demanded the right to rule over all the heavenly hosts. In other words, Lucifer was claiming 'his share of the inheritance'. It might be objected that Christ cannot possibly be seen as the elder brother - the son who complains that his father has never arranged a banquet for him, in spite of his loyal service. This needs further explanation. In the first place the elder son represents a particular attitude of mind: to those who think in worldly terms it would indeed seem unreasonable that the return of the delinquent lost son' should be celebrated with such warmth and festivity. At the same time, however, this figure does reflect an aspect of Christ, relating to His existence in Heaven before the time of the Fall. Having always served His Father with impeccable loyalty, Christ had to endure a period of hardship and suffering brought about by the treacherous behaviour of Lucifer. This experience of His own is hinted at in the parable when the elder brother makes his complaint to his father. He was using the language of metaphor in order to make it easier for people to understand Him. But in reality Christ never complained to His Father: He simply foresaw the unspeakable suffering and misery lying ahead for all the rebellious spirits, and understandably He talked about this with His Father. Lucifer had exerted himself to win the allegiance of as many spirits in Heaven as possible. Observing this, Christ sought His Father's advice. He would have been quite ready to abdicate in favour of Lucifer if that is what His Father wanted. But God had already made up His mind that all the disobedient spirits who were being drawn to Lucifer's side would be cast out of His Kingdom. He therefore reassured His Son, telling Him that He had no intention of asking Him - the anointed King - to relinquish His authority. God's message to His Son remained totally affirmative: "Behold, everything that is mine is yours. Even now, at such a disturbing time, you have a share in all that I possess."Jesus took these words and wove them into the parable by letting the father say to the elder son: "Everything I have is yours." Excerp from an address on the Parables of Jesus, by God's Holy Spirit Joseph, to the congregation of The Geistige Lodge Zurich.
Greetings beloved, May I ask whether you believe Jesus is lying... Do you believe John is a false witness.... John 1:18 NKJV - No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 3:16 NKJV - “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:18 NKJV - “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 1 John 4:9 NKJV - In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. May the Lord bless you and keep you in the love and grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.... 🕊🙏❤🫂❤🙏🕊
![ILLSLICK - KILLSHOT REMIX [FULL VERSION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RIK8RrqIAzE/mqdefault.jpg)
This really helped me. I’ve been reflecting on my relationship with god, how far I’ve wandered, how much I’ve squandered. I’ve been so angry about god abandoning me, that I didn’t think about how I abandoned god, afraid to return because why would god care for me? Im not worthy. This parable reminds me that god is always there waiting for me to return, to celebrate my return to god.
Well said Steff. Not easy to be honest with yourself. The angels will celebrate also.
Wow that was a great commentary on the prodigal son parables. I pray against ever believing that anyone is less deserving of Gods grace and love than myself. I place on my confidence in the lamb. What an incredible Gospel we have indeed!
Well said
For maybe 8 months I've been talking to a Christian counselor. The main theme is the prodigal son. I guess I feel so ashamed and unworthy, so I can't imagine God forgiving me and taking me back as His daughter. My dad was very abusive, so that's part of the problem, I guess. But I want to see the Father the way he wants me to see Him and to love Him. I've been struggling since 2020. I'm tired of being depressed and slothful. I desire to be whole in Christ. I don't want to hear Jesus say to me, "Why, why, why did you not come to your senses?" I'd appreciate prayers if anyone comes across this. TY
I am really enjoying your videos. What a moving story at the end. In fact I found your whole commentary moving. Having recently been baptised after 18 years of being a Christian, mostly in name and basic belief only, and now reading Theology at University, your videos help me to learn like none other I have come across. Thank you and I look forward to watching them all.
Thanks for the kind words Steph. Get as much out of the course as you can but always take what you hear back to scripture and weigh it, that will hold you steady and true. Dave
Greetings brother Dave,
My name is Kyriakos for Melbourne Australia....
Praise be to God my brother for your faithfulness...
Thankyou for the wonderfully humble and yet encouraging message....
This parable and the chapter before (Luke 14) are a continual reminder to me of how much God loves the world....
Whilst Christ was unafraid to tell the religious leaders what the Father had ordained Him to speak (eg John 8)....He met each one according to their willingness to yield (eg John 3)
In your closing it was wonderful to hear of the testimony during WW2....it reminds me of a time in prayer when God spoke to me about redemption and impartiality....
He led me to Acts 7 and reassured me of His great love for mankind, such that one day I would witness the love between Steven and Saul (Paul) that only Christ can accomplish....
Acts 7:57-60 NKJV - Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 22:3-5 NKJV - “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, “as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NKJV - For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Acts 20:24 NKJV - “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in the love and grace of His only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ....
For there is no other name by which one can be saved but the name of Jesus Christ....
🕊🙏❤🫂❤🙏🕊
preparing a lesson on this great parable, an outstanding insight and unparalleled presentation brought tears to my eyes
Very kind words, thanks Wade
I just now happened upon your message, about the Prodigal Son. Thank you so much for the beautiful explanation, of the picture we see , but don't see. It brought tears to my eyes. I have an estranged daughter & I've been wondering about my proper attitude toward her. I now have a better idea of the attitude I should possess, if she ever turns around... Thank you...
Very moving message, thank you. I pray that you find a Godly reconciliation. Dave
What a refreshing reflection on the different ways in which we can be lost and found. I thank you for the outpouring in this format and I wish you well in the journey. God bless.
Thanks Jeremy
BRILLIANT! It never dawned on me to think of the steadfast son as lost ... and not knowing it. But you are right to point out the synchronous or parallel aspect. I had never seen it. Thanks for that.
This was soooo profound and elevating.... Your series, each single one of the videos, makes the Bible alive and an access to God's realm. In this one, not only again I learn and clarify my understanding and misunderstandings, I am in awe at that account at the end.... It opened my heart and renewed my mind and refreshed my spirit.
This videos have a lot of work and love behind them...
I was searching if you have covered the lives of Elijah and Elisha and if not, might it be part of future plans?
Thanks Marc, Elijah and Elisha definitely planned. Dave
Thanks for that. I’m not a God fearing man but I really enjoyed your break down of the parable. Consider me a subscriber.
You’re welcome Benny. Email address is daverebbettes@me.com if you ever have any questions. Warmest, Dave
This should have more views.
Thanks Dave. Learned a lot with this one. Hope you had a great Christmas.
Thanks James. Had a good Christmas break with the family thanks. Hope you did too.
Thank you for another meaningful message.
Thanks Faye, happy new year to you.
Every middle child: rolling their eyes. Neglected and ignored. The golden child and the golden enabler. lol smh
Praise Yahweh for this ministry. שלם עליכם
Thanks and Shalom
Thank you for this
You’re welcome Peter
Those Tax Collectors sound familiar...
Every detail counts... each only took half, not all!.... the Father met him halfway, and then gave him what he already had... happeness without wanting more. The Father remains Greater, until hes ready to receive more of Him.... even that will be like a grain of sand😊
Good insights
Thank you
Learned something. Great
beautiful message
Thanks very much
Have to disagree about the older brother. The father would not have told him that everything he had was his if the son was lost. Also you said it didn’t mean what everyone thought it did but then you said several times that the prodigal son was lost but then he was found. He strayed but then returned. Seems pretty clear to me what this story is about but maybe I’m confused as to what you are saying…
Thank you.
Are the sons supposed to represent born-again Christians, where one becomes backslidden and ultimately repents and the other is trusting in works-salvation, or are both sons supposed to represent unbelievers?
So what about the son who gets his share of his inheritance, goes out and starts a software company and makes a billion dollars? Would the father demand his share for seed money? Or should the son hire the dad as a janitor? Or should the son buy a sheep and give to his father as a gift? You know, there are as many scenarios as there are beliefs - who the heck cares?
If the older son represents the pharisees, are they really near the father? Maybe in proximity they are, but not in relationship. They are more lost then the prodigal.
Well spotted. My point exactly.
100%
The Father of the prodigal Son - I haven't read anyone talking about how Parents give their kids things at the wrong time. Could both the Father and Son be experiencing self inflected judgment ?
So, being as the prodigal son story was grouped in with both the sheep and coin story, it's definitely about being lost, not about giving gifts at the incorrect time, although I can't help but wonder why the father agreed to let him have his inheritance at all though, in the first place? The only answer I can think is God will often allow us to go astray because He won't force anyone against their freewill...in this case I really hope the father (God) knew what would occur and that the son would eventually return and be redeemed. Maybe that was his journey and testimony?
@@viawilderness Well I think that God will just allow what the parents set up to do - Just like when Sarah asked Abraham to kick out Hagar * and when The people wanted a king * Saul * and when Noah just had to bring all his sons on board lol * Ham
Hey Dave could you do one on the letter of James. id really like this one as it applies to me a lot
Hi Buddy, I did one on James though it doesn't;t cover loads of the letter. You can find it here th-cam.com/video/YdWJSqxVWLI/w-d-xo.html
This was the topic for my message last Sunday! There is no such thing in scripture as the parable of the prodigal son! Ooops!
Hope it went well
@@DaveRebbettes not so sure it did actually! People like their comfort zones!
@@DaveRebbettes
Come again? Am I missing something? No such parable?
Awesome video but you still missed the true meaning of the parable.
Greetings brother Matt,
I pray this message finds you well....
Can you please share what your understanding of Jesus teaching is....
My simple reading of scripture is always through the lens of the Kingdom....
Jesus declared from the outset of His Ministry that He was sent to announce the Kingdom of God was here....the coming of the Day of the Lord.
Through that lens all of Christ's Ministry was teaching about salvation and redemption through faith....and not self righteousness.
Jesus entire Ministry was an expansion of the instruction to Adam....do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
As the last Adam He draws us back to the Father by relinquishing all judgement and trusting by faith in the Fathers grace.....we too are asked thus to foresake judgement and extend grace.....this is the Gospel message...
If we take even this one parable in isolation we can still apply the proper hermeneutics from the garden....
Luke 14 provides the necessary and sufficient background....teaching about the purpose of righteousness....
Jesus explains this in the last 2 verses of Luke 14 account which continues into Luke 15....it's one sitting, it's just that more people are gathering upon hearing what is being spoken....
The point of righteous living in us is to actually make us more like Christ....and Jesus said be perfect like your father in heaven (Matt 5:48) and in Luke's account it reads be merciful like your Father in heaven.
The point of righteous living is not ourselves....but what fruit it produces for others....love, joy peace, kindness, goodness etc
Jesus uses this parable I believe to clearly show that we can oscillate between both sons...becoming self absorbed in unrighteousness or self absorbed in righteousness....the problem is self....
Hence why Christ and the disciples faithfully taught death to self...
It is impossible to believe in grace but by faith....for grace is an enemy of self....just as it is impossible to believe in God but by faith.
There is so much more I would love to share, however I will leave that to the Father to authorise.....
May the Lord bless you and preserve you in His love and grace and may His Divine Providence bring rest for your soul....
In Jesus we trust for there is no other name by which one can be saved....
🕊🙏❤🫂❤🙏🕊
@@kyritsitonakis5802 Hello and thank you for your take on the parable. Mine is a bit different.
Firstly, there is a running theme throughout the Bible that says that the firstborn son's blessing and birthright is transferred to the second son. It's not that God accepts the second born son over the firstborn son personally, it's that the switch is prophetic in nature.
Cane and Abel may be the first example. Then we see it happen with Ishmael and Isaac, and then Esau and Jacob. Then Jacob or "Israel" blesses Ephraim instead of Manasseh despite Joseph's objection.
With that idea of the second born son gaining the firstborn son's status, now we can observe what Jesus does in all five parables in Luke 15& 16 because these five were actually told as if they were one parable in five parts. Also, Jesus was prompted to tell the parables because of the objection of Jesus "accepting sinners" by the elders. Now Jesus will tell the fate of national Israel in relation to Gentile "sinners" getting saved.
The lost sheep and lost coin are the same in meaning. Whenever something of value is lost and then found, rejoice.
The prodigal son is now lost and then found. But the elder brother refuses to rejoice and instead he becomes angry and jealous. In the parable, the father is God who has an inheritance. The firstborn son is Israel. How do I know that? for two reasons...1: God said that Israel was His firstborn son in Exodus 4:22 and 2: the prophecy in Deaut 32 that Paul quotes in Romans 10:21 states this toward Israel " I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation."
Israel made angry and jealous is portrayed in the parable by the older brother who becomes angry and jealous when his younger brother (Gentiles) become saved or "found". Remember that the Jews were upset that Jesus was accepting sinners. This prophecy that Jesus reiterated in the parable literally is fulfilled in acts 13 where, at the preaching of Paul, the Jews reject it, the Gentiles accept it, and the Jews become angry and jealous.
The prodigal Son is about Jews and Gentiles, the very thing Paul contrasts throughout his writings.
The steward who was about to lose his position is also Israel.
Lazarus in the last parable is Gentiles and the rich man is Israel. The roles are reversed and though Israel had Moses and the prophets, Abraham in the parables says that they would not believe even if one were to rise from the dead.
I have two videos on this and a published work that includes this among many other glossed over nuggets in the Bible.
Blessings
Greetings my beloved Matt,
Thankyou for your beautiful message....
For what it's worth my beloved, I concur completely with your understanding of the prophetic meaning of the first and second son....
I also concur with the similies in the story about the prodigal son....though when you say Israel amd Gentiles I liken it to Judah (image of southern kingdom) and Ephraim (image of northern kimgdom)...but it's semantics....
I believe much of the symbolism in scripture was always to give emphasis to faith over works, Spirit over flesh....
Even Peter would eventually pen his first Epistle confirming that Christ was concealed within the prophets writings, who wrote faithfully yet even they did not know of whom they wrote and how He would be revealed....
All that said, we still have the blessing of Christ's teachings to guide us onto truth and away from error....
The older son (whilst I agree with everything you wrote) also resembles the heart posture that the law can develop in a man....
As Paul writes in his first letter to Timothy, the law is not for the righteous...but for the unrighteous....
Once we discover that we too are the unrighteous, the law is intended to commit us to death, that we might find life in Christ in His righteousness....
To be born again of the Spirit is only made possible by the revelation of Christ....as even Christ Himself declared to His disciples.....prophets and Kings desired to see what you see and did not....wow.
For me personally Matt....the pursuit of both knowing Christ and being more like Christ remains the sole meaning to life....
I believe even the disciples would have been challenged in their quiet moments....and thus why prayer was so vital to their walk....
To imagine that Peter himself, almost 7 years after Christ ascended was still battling with his own flesh (Acts 10, Gal 2)....
I have been a follower of Christ a short time (born in May 1967....born again in March 2018....) and as one who is blessed to spend much time in His presence, seeking His guidance, I can get discouraged at times when I witness the animosity within the body of Christ....
I am blessed to spend time on the streets of Melbourne in an outreach capacity, feeding people and also fellowshipping with lonely/homeless people and sharing the hope of Christ...offering an identity that cannot be stolen from them....
It can be difficult because their eyes have been blinded to the truth through their hurt and the uncaring state of a busy and preoccupied city....
But God who is rich in mercy....
May the Lord bless you and preserve you in His grace my beloved....
In Jesus we hold fast to our living hope....
🕊🙏❤🫂❤🙏🕊
@kyritsitonakis5802 Well, God has certainly blessed you with understanding being that you're saved a relatively short period of time.
I was born july 1967 but have been saved for about 30 years now.
I have a published work that I know you would thoroughly enjoy. I also have two videos on the five parables of Luke 15 &16.
Hit those theee crosses on the left and LMK what you think.
Wow
:)
The prodigal son >Psalms 2 verse 7:8
In the parable of the prodigal son Jesus was once again referring to events in the past. These events and their effect on the future were of deepest concern to Him. The prodigal son represents Lucifer. He is still lost, still 'dead', that is to say separated from God. In this parable - as in the two preceding ones - Jesus was reaching out into the far distant future. The return of the prodigal son in the story indicates that one day - who knows when? - Lucifer will return to his former home.
At the beginning of the story the younger brother asks his father to give him his share of the inheritance. Here Jesus was speaking of the moment when Lucifer - the younger brother - while still living in the Kingdom of God had demanded the right to rule over all the heavenly hosts. In other words, Lucifer was claiming 'his share of the inheritance'.
It might be objected that Christ cannot possibly be seen as the elder brother - the son who complains that his father has never arranged a banquet for him, in spite of his loyal service. This needs further explanation.
In the first place the elder son represents a particular attitude of mind: to those who think in worldly terms it would indeed seem unreasonable that the return of the delinquent lost son' should be celebrated with such warmth and festivity. At the same time, however, this figure does reflect an aspect of Christ, relating to His existence in Heaven before the time of the Fall. Having always served His Father with impeccable loyalty, Christ had to endure a period of hardship and suffering brought about by the treacherous behaviour of Lucifer. This experience of His own is hinted at in the parable when the elder brother makes his complaint to his father. He was using the language of metaphor in order to make it easier for people to understand Him. But in reality Christ never complained to His Father: He simply foresaw the unspeakable suffering and misery lying ahead for all the rebellious spirits, and understandably He talked about this with His Father.
Lucifer had exerted himself to win the allegiance of as many spirits in Heaven as possible. Observing this, Christ sought His Father's advice. He would have been quite ready to abdicate in favour of Lucifer if that is what His Father wanted. But God had already made up His mind that all the disobedient spirits who were being drawn to Lucifer's side would be cast out of His Kingdom. He therefore reassured His Son, telling Him that He had no intention of asking Him - the anointed King - to relinquish His authority. God's message to His Son remained totally affirmative: "Behold, everything that is mine is yours. Even now, at such a disturbing time, you have a share in all that I possess."Jesus took these words and wove them into the parable by letting the father say to the elder son: "Everything I have is yours."
Excerp from an address on the Parables of Jesus, by God's Holy Spirit Joseph, to the congregation of The Geistige Lodge Zurich.
Why especially point out Amsterdam, like your country is any better
Yes, you make a good point, thanks.
God have 2 sons luckier and Jesus that's the parable
Greetings beloved,
May I ask whether you believe Jesus is lying...
Do you believe John is a false witness....
John 1:18 NKJV - No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
John 3:16 NKJV - “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:18 NKJV - “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
1 John 4:9 NKJV - In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in the love and grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ....
🕊🙏❤🫂❤🙏🕊
🤦religiosity is dangerous.
True