The Narrative Lectionary calls for Luke 15 this week. It is the triad story of lost and found things and how God likes to party when the lost is found. Below are some pictures that I drew for this story last year.
First, there is a story behind these pictures that you might find interesting.
I drew these pictures as a mock-up for an idea that Rolf Jacobson presented to me last year. Rolf is a premier Biblical Scholar (specializing in the Psalms), a professor at Luther Seminary, and one of the creators of the Narrative Lectionary. I had the privilege to be a TA in a class that Rolf and Pat Keifert taught in the fall of 2015. When Rolf met me in that class, and learned that I am an illustrator, he said, “We should create a children’s book for the Narrative Lectionary!” So, we test-drove the process with the story of the Prodigal (or, “The Story of a Father and Two Sons” as we put it) and the Crucifixion.
Here’s the really wild part of the story. This week we publicly announced that Easter Lutheran Church is in the process of calling me to be on the pastoral staff (Congregational vote on April 9, see the open letter here). Guess who else is a teaching pastor at Easter. Yep, Rolf Jacobson.
So, I wonder if we’ll get to do something with this idea after all. Time will tell.
Here is the original spread for the children’s book idea.
I cut the image up and made it into four separate panels. Feel free to save these images to your computer and use them in your sermon or lesson however you desire. Thanks for viewing.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1-2, NRSV)
11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:11–17. NRSV)
18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:18–24. NRSV)
25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ” (Luke 15:25–32. NRSV)
Amazing toons and a website! This is such a different concept. Thanks, I really enjoyed reading and understanding the stuff you post. God bless you brother!!
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading. Glad you find it helpful.