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Opening THE Book 22 with Rev John K-S
 3rd March 2020
Rev John Kinchin-Smith
Assistant Minister, St Andrew’s Church
Why is the Bible different from any other book? Read the following story Jesus told in Luke's Gospel chapter 15
"A man had two sons. The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of the property'. So he divided his property between them. Soon after, the younger son set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. Alter he'd spent everything, there was a severe famine in that country so he hired himself out to a man who sent him to feed pigs.
"When he came to his senses, he said, 'All my father's hired workers have food to spare, and here I am about to starve! I will go back to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son; make me hie one of your hired workers'. So he set off.
"Ile was still a long way off from home when his father saw him. He was filled with compassion and he ran, and threw his arms around his son, and kissed him.
"'Father,' the son said, 'I have sinned against God and against you I am no longer worthy to be called your son'
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe for him, a ring for his finger and shoes for his feet. Bring the prize calf and kill it. Let's celebrate with a feast! For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found
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"Meanwhile, when the older son heard why there was music and dancing, he became angry and refused to go into the house. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered, 'Look, all these years I've slaved for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours comes home, who has squandered your property with prostitutes, you kill the prize calf for him!'
"'My son' the father said, '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"'
Now ask yourself which of the two sons is most like you? And who is the Father in the story who showed such unconditional love to both sons?
as published by St Andrew's Church in the Gorleston Community Magazine
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