LOWEST of LOWS

Luke 15:14-17

"14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!"

We continue our study of young people in the Holy Bible called "Children of The Heavenly Father." This parable, or earthly story with a heavenly meaning, we will see a couple sons misusing their FREEDOM! The title for this week's study is "The Prodigals." We will look at ALL THREE PRODIGALS! We want to see how they live up to the definition of "Prodigal;" spending money or resources freely and recklessly; WASTEFULLY EXTRAVAGANT.

It started in the Gospel of Luke, chapter fifteen, verse eleven, where Jesus is speaking to "publicans and sinners" to the anxiety of the Pharisees and scribes. Jesus first told the parable of the Lost Sheep, then the one about the Lost Coin and now the one about the TWO Sons. The younger son was disrespectful wanting his inheritance NOW. Very self centered and selfish. 

When he gets his money and FREEDOM he goes WILD! He partied like a rockstar! He blew ALL his money on riotous living and all kinds of debauchery. Then things got tough, today's verses; "And when he had spent ALL, there arose a mighty FAMINE in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine." SWINE! PIGS! HAWGS! Filthy and disgusting creatures that NO respectable Jew would be anywhere near much less feeding and taking care of, serving. 

This younger brother is in such dire straights that he WISHES he could eat what the SWINE are eating!!! "And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I PERISH with HUNGER! He is NOT partying like a rockstar anymore. He is aspiring to eat like a HAWG! He is at the lowest of lows.