The Man in the Glory by Sheila

There's a man in the glory
Who gave himself for me
The nail prints in his hands and feet
Still there for all to see

He died for me, He took my place
It's hard to understand the grace
That made my Saviour take my place
on Calvary's cruel tree

And yet - He did - and bore my shame
Christ Jesus is His lovely name
And I shall see those marks of love
When I meet Him in Heaven above

Yes, I shall see those marks of love,
The nail prints, for eternity
And say again "It was for me
Dear Lord, it was for me"
Thank you

The Parable of the lost son, or "The Prodigal Son" can be found in Luke Chapter 15: It's a story Jesus told to highlight the uncondiitonal love of God in contrast to our self-centred human nature.

The below was part of a pantomime style play called God's Rescue plan written to highlight that whatever scrapes we get into; however much we disobey, God set in place a way in which we could be restored to him.

Luke 15:11: Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons...

Set scene - 2 young men overseeing labourers in field.   Youngest suddenly looks up and round about him, as if questioning what he is doing there.

Satan:                    

Son, your dad is really mean to keep all the estate
You'll get your share when old and grey, but that will be too late.
Life's too short to sit and wait for all that is in store -
You're young! - Go and enjoy yourself - life shouldn't be a bore.

Youngest son walks away to find older man (dad) working elsewhere

Son:    

You know, I have this great big urge to travel far away -
Explore new lands, make new friends; I may even want to stay!
I know in time I'm sure to get my share of the estate
But I'm in need of money now, it's not fair to make me wait!
Father:  Well son, I can't bear to see you sitting round and moping
So I'll give you your share now, but still I can't help hoping
That you'll decide to change your mind -I wish that you would stay
But you must make your own mind up - If you want to, go your way!

All leave stage.  During Narrators piece, scene changes to son at party buying drinks, enjoying himself. Finds he's run out of money (pull out empty pockets!) and friends leave.

Narrator:                 

So the boy went to a far off place and flashed around his wealth
And soon made lots and lots of friends - by drinking to their health!
But when his funds ran low he found that when push came to shove
His fickle friends all left him - 'cos money don't buy you love!

Scene changes again to son sitting with pigs.  He is now wearing rags and generally feeling sorry for himself.

Son:                       

My money's all gone, my life's in a mess
I gambled and drunk till it got less and less
And now I've got nothing - my friends have gone too
I'm really alone and don't know what to do!
I feel so degraded - I've got a job feeding swine
And yet I'm so hungry I could easily dine
On the slops that I feed to these rotten old pigs
Is there anyone out there who cares a few figs?
I don't know how to escape from this life
Is there a way? The rumours are rife!

To discover how the boy "escaped" his situation, click the button below to read the full story