The Lost Son

The Lost Son

Jesus would almost certainly have told a more detailed version of the parable stories than are written in the gospels. Let’s do it ourselves:

Expanded paraphrase of Prodigal Son story

A wealthy farmer called Ezra

 Was the richest man in the town.          

He was generous, honourable and caring

A man of high renown

He had two sons to run the farm

As different as chalk from cheese                                           

Jeremiah, the elder was too mean to spend a cent                         

The younger a playboy, Joseph Never had a cent to spend

Jeremiah was a control freak who had to have his way

Joseph, not keen on work, gambled all the day.

When Joseph got the chance he asked Ezra

"Dad it's your lad. I know this sounds bad

But if I had my inheritance now

I would have enough to look after myself

And I would get out of Jeremiah's way.

 Said dad, "my lad I didn't know it was so bad.

 But it is a sizeable sum? Let me talk to your mum

Ezra was as kind hearted

And loving as you'd find

He gave Joseph his cash. it was quite a stash, 

To realize his dream

Of pleasures extreme

He left home for a town

That was renowned for every excess

Going out with friends

It was always his turn, to pay.

Like bees around the honeypot

These friends spent a lot

On excesses of pleasures and fun: to choose

Gambling, women, drugs, and booze

How could he lose?

This is the life he wanted.

But life has its way to make you pay

For selfish indulgences

Ignoring the twist to manage his risks,

He squandered the money away

Then disaster came on them

Dreadful famine engulfed them

Sweeping across the land

It struck Joseph severely,

He paid rather dearly

It took entirely his whole bounty.

With not a cent left in his hand

Joseph had lost the lot.

His friends wouldn't help him,

They shunned and disowned him

He had no digs, was left feeding pigs,

And himself on their fare

He was filled with despair

This isn't my dream

The joy is in tatters

The fun isn't fun,

The cash has all gone

These friends are not friends

The laughter is hollow

They left him to wallow

In pigs swill.

He was lost in a failed dream

Lost to his family,

Lost all his dignity

Lost his inheritance

Lost in poverty

Lost

What can he do?

There was a way through

Swallow his pride

He could go home,

home sweet home

Throw himself on dad’s mercy

"Make me a servant

Not as a son, that is too much to ask

But as a servant, I’ll do any task.

"Yes I'll do it" he said,

He rolled up his bed

Stole some new sandals

And started for home

Home was a long way

His stomach oft empty

His clothes became dirty,

worn, torn and smelly.

For all, he looked like a tramp

Sometimes when he doubted that

his father would accept him

 he was tempted to give it away.

Only remembering his father’s mercy

Kept him from going astray

Jo entered his home- town, looked rather down

At heel.

The rumour went round, Joe has been seen

In the street.

Ezra soon got to hear it,

He hardly could believe it

He said with tears in his eyes

I must rush to meet him

I really want to greet him.

My son, who was lost

Has been is found

so Ezra threw off his coat and

ran down the road

to welcome Joseph home

he threw his arms round him

praise God we have found him

my son was who was dead is alive

“father “Jo started “I'm not worthy to be counted..."

“hush” said his father, “I’ll not hear that talk”

“You're My SON, no matter where you walk”

“my son, you've come back, you've come home”

Let’s throw a party; Joe is here hale and hearty.

Give him the best clothes to wear

Get the best food prepared

The fattened calf of the herd

And the best wine that money can buy.

He invited everyone,

they danced, ate, and had fun

'til the day was done

All except Jeremiah

When he got home he said

"what's the noise I hear?"

"my brother?? What’s He doing here? “ 

“He Spent all the money

 you gave him, outrageously

 have you no sense of decency

He put us in the mire” said Jeremiah

“And now you give him a party?” 

“You never gave my friends a feast”

Said Ezra “My son it’s all yours, yours to do as you like

You can have a party any time you wish

but you are too mean and grumpy

Come in if you want to

Stay outside if you must

But I am going to celebrate

 my son who was lost

The morning after the party, Joe came to confess to Ezra:

You loved me through everything, but I rejected your hand

You treated me as your son but I not you as my father.

You treated me kindly in return I ridiculed you,

You trusted me and I betrayed you,

You taught me good living and I disgraced you

You were honourable in all our dealings but I dishonoured you.

When I came home you welcomed me with abundant joy and I did not deserve it.

You gave me a party before I said sorry

  

Ezra said to Joe,"Joe I know it is so.

But you have learned by experience

What it is to know hardship

what it is like to be poor,

What it's like to be hungry

What is like to be betrayed and rejected?

What it is like to be humbled

What it to be treated as you didn't deserve

How futile a life of indulgence is?

Later,

Jeremiah took Ezra aside.

He said “don’t be soft.

Remember the hurt he has cost

He nearly broke us getting his share

Then squandered it without a care

Dragging your name through the mud

I will tell him his fortune when I get hold of him.

He'll want taken back into the family home

mark my words he will weasel in.

He should bear The consequences of what he has done

"Can a leopard change his spots"

More grief for you is what he's got 

Follow your head and not your heart,

Say "No! No! No!" from the very start

It will save you hurt upon hurt said Jeremiah

Ezra replied Jeremiah -

You have traded on my good name for many years

You have not practiced what gave me my honour

generosity or

kindness

Caring

honesty

Fair dealing

you have been

miserly, harsh,

Bad tempered and domineering

And lived by the letter or the law..

In this you have dishonoured why name as much as Joe.

You are lost in self-righteous, lost in your miserliness

Lost in a world of legalism and consequences.

I intend to open new operations

Where love and generosity rule

Where offences are forgiven

Where the measure is overflowing

Joe is the ideal person to manage this venture

His experience is just what I need.

[John George]