Show Don't Tell: Luke 15:11-32

Instead of saying "Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son," smell the pig pen. A man has two sons. The younger demands: "Father, give me my share of the estate." It's like saying: "I wish you were dead." The father divides his property. The younger son gets everything together and sets off for a distant country, where he squanders his wealth in wild living. After he has spent everything, a severe famine sweeps the land. He hires himself out to feed pigs—for a Jew, utter degradation. He longs to fill his stomach with the pods the pigs are eating, but no one gives him anything. When he comes to his senses: "How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants." So he gets up and goes to his father. But while he is still a long way off, his father sees him. Filled with compassion, he runs to his son, throws his arms around him and kisses him. The son begins his speech, but the father interrupts—to the servants: "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." Meanwhile, the older son is in the field. Coming near the house, he hears music and dancing. A servant explains; the older brother is angry and refuses to go in. The father comes out and pleads. "Look! All these years I've been slaving for you... Yet you never gave me even a young goat... But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!" "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."