The Prodigal’s New Clothes

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LESSON 10

*May 28 - June 3

The Prodigal’s New Clothes

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SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week's Study:

Gen. 4:1–8; 25:25–34; Luke 15:4–32; John 11:9, 10; Rom. 5:12–20.

Memory Text:

“ ‘ “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” ’ ” (Luke 15:32, NIV).

W. Somerset Maugham wrote a short story called “Rain” about a missionary in the South Seas who “converted” a prostitute to the gospel. He poured himself, heart and soul, into seeking to win her, though at times his methods seemed harsh and unforgiving. In fact, he insisted that she return to the United States (which she was fleeing) in order to finish out a jail sentence, all despite her desperate pleas to spare her from the torture, degradation, and ignominy that awaited her in prison. Doing her jail time, the missionary insisted, was just part of the process of repentance that she needed to go through, and thus she had to return. The story ended, however, unexpectedly. The missionary killed himself, his mangled corpse found washed up on the beach. What happened? Apparently, spending all this time with the prostitute, he fell into sin with her and, unable to forgive himself—he killed himself instead. What those characters needed was what we all as sinners need—a personal experience of the grace and assurance that Jesus revealed in the parable of the prodigal son.

*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 4.