In the language of the parable, the son was striking the father with crushing, killing, blows

saying, you are evil, you are shameful, someone needs to end the shame and bring honor to this family and I will do it

by ridding this family of such a shameful father.

Welcome to Grace to you with John MacArthur.

I'm your host Phil Johnson. The

parable of the prodigal son may have been among the first Bible stories you

ever learned, but even though the narrative is simple enough for a children's

Sunday school lesson, the truth it contains is

it contains is more profound than most adults probably realize.

What was Jesus' purpose in teaching this parable?

Whom does each character represent? Jesus' purpose in teaching this parable?

Whom does each character represent?

And what should you take away from the Father's amazing example of forgiveness?

Those are just some of the questions to keep in mind as you follow along with John

MacArthur. As he continues his study called Foundations Volume 2, he's going to

help clear up misconceptions that many people have, maybe even you, about this famous

parable of Jesus. So follow along now with John MacArthur. The text before us is like so many texts a very familiar text. Anybody who knows

this story knows the story that we call the story the prodigal son. Let's look at

it. A shameful request, verse 11. Three characters

of father and two sons. The younger of them said to his father, Father, that's very respectful by the way, give me the share of the estate that falls

to me. And at this point they would step back. What? That's unthinkable! The younger son is asking the father for his share of an inheritance.

He's out a rank. There's a pecking order. If he's younger, somebody's older. This is not only out of rank, this is disrespectful. This is selfish. You get the estate when the father dies. This is like saying, father, I wish you were dead. You're in the way. I want what's mine and I want it now and I'm tired of waiting. There is no precedent

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