COMPARING THE LIFE AND DEATH OF EBONY REIGNS AND THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON.
The life of the short-lived popular Ghanaian artiste, Ebony, and the cacophony of remarks that have greeted her shocking departure just reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son. This article relays a comparative analysis between Ebony Reigns and the Parable of the prodigal son. It talks about the parable in comparison to the different opinions that have gone on among members of the public concerning Ebony’s sudden demise.
The parable
The parable of the prodigal son features three major characters, a father and his two sons. One day, the youngest son came to the father to demand his share of inheritance ahead of time. He wanted to have his life and freedom. He wanted to have fun and enjoy life based on his wild imaginations. So he took his share of the inheritance and left home far away to a distant city. After he had spent all his inheritance on wild living and all kinds of social vices in the name of having fun, he found himself reduced to working in a pigpen. He barely had any food to eat and a place to lay his clueless head. Then he one day came to his senses and decided to go back to his father to plead and work as one of his servants. Surprisingly, when his father saw him coming home after many years, he went to embrace and kissed him. He dressed him in the finest clothes and threw a huge party for him. When his elder son saw this, he was filled with indignation and envy. He then protested to his father that after all the bad things that his younger brother had done, he has welcomed him and arranged a huge party for him. He further lamented before his father that he has obeyed and slaved himself for him for many years, yet, he never killed a young goat for him.
Comparative analysis
Now, let us take a look at Ebony Reigns and the parable of the prodigal son and see how they compare. I would say Ebony could be likened to the youngest son who was all fun, impetuous and wayward. Also, we can say those who are being judgmental and condemning her can be compared to the elder son. They feel Ebony does not deserve all the sympathies and love she is receiving. Some of their arguments are that “We have seen better musicians. How many songs did she even do?” “Many have died similarly, why didn’t we make them big news as well?” “She didn’t live a morally upright life so she deserves condemnation instead.” These are people who are just annoyed by the love and huge attention her death has attracted. Their father in the parable can also be compared to those who despite all the flaws and mistakes of Ebony have been able to overlook them and expressed love, compassion and condolences at the hearing of her shocking death. It is interesting to see these people demonstrating the kind of compassion, forgiveness and love the father (God) showed to the prodigal son.
However, one may argue that the prodigal son showed remorse but Ebony did not show remorse. But who knows what transpired in her heart or mind at the later periods of her life. When Jesus was on the cross, one of the criminals who was crucified alongside him got saved right before he died. Jesus said to him: “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Therefore, salvation can come to someone at any time of his or her life. Furthermore, if she had to show remorse, to whom should she show that remorse? Was she to show remorse to us or God almighty? Who is it that forgives our transgressions, iniquities and grants us salvation? Is it us or God alone? If we agree that it is God almighty alone, then I don’t think she needed to announce her remorse to us before she is justified and saved. After all, we are not the ultimate judge. The power to save is not in our hands. That is why in the parable, the prodigal son said, “I will set out and go back to my father (God) and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you” (Luke 15:18). And so, since we are humans and do not know all things, I believe we should try not to be quick to judge. Because only God knows all things. He alone forgives our sins. He alone sees our hearts and our thoughts.
6 Major lessons the parable of the prodigal son teaches.
- It shows God’s immense and unconditional love.
- It shows the compassion and forgiveness of God.
- It tells us that God is the final judge.
- It tells of God’s grace for those who are saved. Grace is what the youngest son received.
- It also tells that righteousness is a gift. It is not by our works or efforts, as the eldest son thought.
- “Favor ain’t fair!” (TD Jakes)
