Kezazah, The Story Of A Dysfunctional Family's Grace

19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming.

Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy

of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house

and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening.

We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost,

but now he is found.’ So the party began.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and

dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’

he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him,

29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you

told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.

30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate

by killing the fattened calf!’ 31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me,

and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and

has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

IV. FOR PROTECTION, JEWISH FAMILIES LIVE IN SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES...

SO GOSSIP AND NEWS TRAVELED AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT...

A. It was known though out the whole camp the the younger brother was in REBELLION against his

precious father and demanded WHAT IS MINE--- RIGHT NOW!

B. SIN MAKES THE DEMAND THAT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT ME AND I WANT WHAT I WANT

RIGHT NOW!

I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL YOUR DEATH! GIVE ME EVERYTHING NOW! THIS RIGHT NOW ATTITUDE

OPPOSES FAITH AND EVERY LESSON THE BOY HAS BEEN TAUGHT.

C. THE PARTY HARDY SYSTEM THRIVES AFTER THIS RIGHT NOW DEMAND,

THE SON LEAVES HOME --- HE WANTS TO HIDE HIS BEHAVIOR AND HIS VALUE/PRIORITY SYSTEM

THAT DAD AND THE CHURCH HAS TAUGHT HIM. The friends, the parties, the women, the prostitutes

CONSUME his lifestyle.

D. The son's journey goes from abundance to LACK ---THE PIG PEN --- THE STINKY PIG PEN ---

What a journey for a young Jewish man to END UP IN THE PIG PEN? The stigma was terrible.

V. THE YOUNG MAN BROKE HIS FATHER'S HEART, MOM AND DAD CRIED THEMSELVES TO SLEEP

MANY A NIGHT. HE NOT ONLY BROKE HIS MOM AND DAD'S HEART, HE BROKE THE COMMUNITY S

TANDARDS AND BROUGHT DISGRACE ON HIS FAMILY NAME. THE PIG PEN --- THE PIG PEN---