In lieu of a normal sermon this week, we had musical interpretation of the Gospel, Luke 5:11-24.
The Prodigal Son Suite
A paraphrase by Keith Green
Son: I was done hoeing out in the fields for the day, I was thinkin’ of goin’ I had to leave right away. My life is just fading and oh I felt so alone, the nearest young maiden was a full day’s ride from home.
My father was reading the Holy books in his room, my heart was just bleedin’ I knew I had to go soon. He smiled and pointed to an old wooden chair, I wanted to hold him but then I just wouldn’t dare.
I said, “Father there’s so much to know, there’s a world I have to see and I’m ready to go and make a life for myself. If you give me what is mine, I will go if I can have your blessing, but if you won’t bless my journey, I’m gonna leave anyway.”
Father: Son, I’ve always tried my best for you, and if you must be leaving home, then go with the blessing of God.
Son: Not too many days later I was well on my way, I met a traveling stranger who seemed to have much to say. He told me tales of the city, and all the women he’d had, I asked him, “Wasn’t that sinful?” He said, “No, it isn’t that bad.”
And then a few days later on an old city road, we were drowning in laughter and we had women to hold. And this went on quite a long time. My father gave me a lot, but when my pockets were empty, Lord, my friends all left me to rot.
Then a famine hit and drained the land, everywhere I looked I saw starvation, and a job was so hard to find. I wandered through the city streets, competing for the food of common beggars, up ’til then I’d never known hunger, but now I wasn’t too proud.
I finally found some employment, feeding pigs on a farm,I wasn’t treated too kindly, Lord, I had to sleep in the barn. I had to eat with the swine, the bread I ate was like stone, it didn’t take too much time until I was dreamin’ of home.
All the servants there are better fed if I could only have what my father gives them, I would need nothing more. Oh, I will go and say to him, “I’m no longer worthy to be in your family, will you take me as your servant, and let me live with them?”
It didn’t take too long to pack my things, I left with only what I wore, as I prayed that I’d still have a home.
I was near home, in sight of the house. My father just stared, dropped open his mouth. 7
He ran up the road and fell at my feet, and cried, and cried. “Father, I’ve sinned, heaven’s ashamed, I’m no longer worthy to wear your name. I’ve learned that my home is right where you are. O Father, take me in.”
Father: “Bring the best robe, put it on my son. Shoes for his feet, hurry, put them on. This is my son who I thought had died, prepare a feast for my son’s life. I prayed and prayed, never heard a sound. My son was lost, oh thank you, God, he’s found. My son was dead and now is alive, prepare a feast for my son’s life. My son was dead, my son was lost, my son’s returned in the hands of God.”