The Parable of the Prodigal Son is easily the most famous story Jesus ever told. It has inspired paintings, novels, symphonies, and countless sermons. Yet for all its familiarity, we often miss its radical edge. We reduce it to a morality tale about a wayward child who says sorry and a softhearted dad who offers a second chance. But Luke 15:11–24 is far more disruptive than that. It is a story about the architecture of desire, the bankruptcy of self-exile, and a love that operates outside the economy of merit. **The Request That Kills** The parable opens not with departure, but with a demand: "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me" (v. 12). In the first-century world, this was not merely impolite; it was violent. By asking for his inheritance while his father still lived, the younger son is effectively saying, "I wish you were dead." He wants the benefits of sonship without the relationship. He wants the assets, not the father. This is th...
The First Book of Chronicles offers a powerful, faith-filled retelling of Israel's history, focusing almost entirely on the reign of King David. Written for a community trying to rebuild its identity after the devastating Babylonian Exile, the book bypasses the nation's failures and instead presents an idealized portrait of David as a model king, emphasizing worship, the Temple, and God's enduring covenant. It’s a story of hope and divine faithfulness, designed to inspire a new generation. genealogies and the reign of King David. Narrative Summary The book can be divided into two distinct sections: the comprehensive genealogies that trace Israel's lineage from Adam, and the glorified narrative of King David's reign. Part 1: The Genealogies of Israel (1 Chronicles 1-9) The book opens not with a story, but with nine chapters of genealogies. This seemingly dry list was vitally important for the post-exilic community, serving several key purposes: Connecting to the Pa...